# NTSB ATL94LA095: Schweizer 300C, N220MS, Randleman, NC, May 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1994, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Randleman, NC - Coordinates: 35.817142, -79.804095 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8171&lon=-79.8041&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3382 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3382/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA095 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT THE HELICOPTER WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS WATER IN THE FUEL SUPPLY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT INSPECTION INCLUDED SUMPING THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR CONTAMINATES. DURING THIS PHASE OF THE PREFLIGHT, THE PILOT ROUTINELY DRAINED FUEL FROM THE SYSTEM WITHOUT COLLECTING THE SAMPLES IN A CONTAINER. AFTER TAKEOFF, AND A FEW MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, ENGINE RPM DROPPED FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND SELECTED AN AREA FOR A FORCED LANDING; DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND HARD AND ROLLED OVER. DURING THE POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER TWO GALLONS OF WATER WERE RECOVERED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 1994, at 0845 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 300C, N220MS, collided with the ground, during an autorotation after a complete loss of engine power near Randleman, North Carolina. The aerial observation flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed Randleman at 0843 hours. The pilot's normal preflight inspection included draining the fuel system to check for contaminants. During this phase of the preflight,the pilot normally drained a small quantity of fuel from the fuel system. The fuel samples were not collected in a container and checked for contaminants. Approximately an hour after the preflight, the flight departed and the pilot established a left climbing turn to 1000 feet agl (feet above the ground). As the pilot continued the left turn, engine rpm dropped, and the pilot lowered the collective to maintain rotor RPM. As the emergency continued, rotor rpm continued to drop and the pilot established a final approach for the emergency landing. The helicopter touched down hard and rolled over on the right side. During the post-crash examination of the helicopter two gallons of water were recovered from the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N220MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N220MS-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N S1361, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 300C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51361 - Airframe hours: 1045 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dooley/Cresent Airways - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1994, 60 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,621 total, 8,918 in this make and model, 10,421 as pilot in command, 355 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: INT, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940509010419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940509010419A), May 9, 1994: Hughes 269C, Randleman, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout for aerial observation flight. Rotor RPM decay on autorotation. Two gallons water in fuel. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.