# NTSB ATL94LA100: Schweizer 269C, N160CA, Hiram, GA, May 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1994, 07:20 local (11:20 UTC)
- Place: Hiram, GA
- Coordinates: 33.860477, -84.770164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8605&lon=-84.7702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA100

## Probable cause

The inadvertent flight from VMC conditions to IMC conditions by the pilot. A factor in the accident was the ground fog in the area.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT FOLLOWING TAKEOFF FROM THE HELIPAD LOCATED AT HIS HOME, HE ENCOUNTERED ROLLING FOG. THE VISIBILITY IMMEDIATELY REDUCED TO LESS THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS. HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOWLY DESCEND TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TREES, AND THEN IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1994, at 0720 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C, N160CA, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees and the terrain near Hiram, Georgia. The commercial pilot received serious injuries in the accident. The helicopter was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the business flight. The flight departed the pilot's residence in Hiram, and was enroute to the pilot's place of business in Villa Rica, Georgia.

The pilot reported that, at the time of departure, the weather at his residence was sufficient for flight under visual flight rules. He stated that after departure, he encountered a fog bank, started a 180 degree turn, and descended slowly attempting to land. During the turn, he contacted the trees and crashed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N160CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N160CA), registered now, S/N S1554 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- 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: S1554
- Airframe hours: 895
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-DIA 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cangemi, Richard S.
- Registered owner: East-West Express, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1994, 8 hours before
- Destination: NONE, VILLA RICA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 725 total, 120 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 15 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 19940516011049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940516011049A), May 16, 1994: Hughes 269C, Hiram, GA, Substantial damage. Took off encountered dense fog. Tried to land. Struck trees.

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.