# NTSB ATL98LA065: Schweizer 269C, N61193, San Juan, PR, April 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 27, 1998, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: San Juan, PR - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3984 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3984/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately secure the cargo strap which became entangled in the tail rotor, leading to a loss of the tail rotor control. This was followed by an improperly executed emergency procedure and an in-flight collision with the ground. A factor was the inadequate procedure supplied by the manufacturer. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Rotor failure/malfunction, landing - control interference - inadvertent (cause) - misc eqpt/furnishings,cargo restraints - entangled (cause) - load tie-down/security - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - emergency procedure - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - procedure inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis According to the FAA, the pilot had a cargo strap in an external basket which blew out of the container and wrapped around the tail rotor, damaging the pitch change links, and the 90 degree gearbox. The pilot attempted to hover during a run on landing, and the helicopter began spinning and impacted the ground. According to the pilot, he heard a bang, and then lost control of the anti-torque rotor pedals. Prior to touchdown, the helicopter yawed to the right, made a 360 degree turn, and impacted the ground. The Schweizer Aircraft Corp. Pilot's Flight Manual states that in the event of a tail rotor failure, a pilot should enter autorotation. The FAA's Advisory Circular 61-13B states that during the run on landing procedure, directional control should be maintained with cyclic control and by applying throttle to swing the nose to the right. One should not attempt to hover during a run on landing because it puts the helicopter at a high power setting. Autorotation should be used if the tail rotor failure occurs during a hover or if dangerous attitudes are incurred through the addition of power. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 1998, about 1045 atlantic standard time, a Schweizer 269C, N61193, collided with the ground following a loss of tail rotor control at the Fernando Luis Ribas Domminicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The helicopter was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight originated Ceiba, Puerto Rico at 0945. According to the FAA, the pilot had a cargo strap in a external basket which sat on the right side of the fuselage. While trying to land, the cargo strap blew out of the external baggage container and wrapped around the tail rotor, damaging the pitch change links, and the 90 degree gearbox. The pilot then attempted to hover during a run on landing, and the helicopter began spinning. The helicopter impacted the ground, substantially damaging the airframe and skids. According to the pilot, he heard a loud bang in the aft section of the fuselage while on approach. He then lost control of the anti-torque rotor pedals. The pilot stated he attempted a run on landing. Prior to touchdown, the helicopter yawed to the right, made a 360 degree turn, and impacted the ground. The Schweizer Aircraft Corp. Pilot's Flight Manual states that in the event of a tail rotor failure, a pilot should enter autorotation. The FAA's Advisory Circular 61-13B states that during the run on landing procedure, directional control should be maintained with cyclic control and by gently applying throttle to swing the nose to the right. If in a hover, the helicopter will swing to the right because the power is at a high setting. So, one should not attempt to hover while doing a run on landing. Autorotation is used if the tail rotor failure occurs during a hover or if dangerous attitudes are incurred through the addition of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61193](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61193-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N S1593, built 1992 (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: S1593 - Airframe hours: 440 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Waldemar Castro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1998, 440 hours before - Departed: NONE, CEIBA, PR - Destination: SIG, SAN JUAN, PR - Airport: JIG, Fernando Luis Ribas Domi., runway 9, 5,400 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 513 total, 95 in this make and model, 513 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SJU, 4 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 19980427007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980427007849A), Apr 27, 1998: Hughes 269C, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Cargo strap blew out of baggage container and wrapped around tail rotor. Damage pitch links and gear box. Spun in. (.4)according to the FAA, the pilot had a… ## Other investigations on N61193 (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD05LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA046), Mar 19, 2005: Schweizer 269C (N61193), Leet, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: A fatigue fracture of the main transmission drive pinion. Also causal was the manufacturer's failure to remove the affected pinions from service during the period that transpired between the initial… 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.