# NTSB BFO92LA085: Schweizer 269D, N330TT, Watkins Glen, NY, July 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1992, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Watkins Glen, NY
- Coordinates: 42.380836, -76.869125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3808&lon=-76.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA085

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, hover
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,fuel control - other (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - inadequate, production/design personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A CERTIFICATION TEST FLIGHT INVOLVING A SERIES OF DESCENTS AT LOW ROTOR RPM AND LOW AIRSPEEDS, THE ENGINE OF THE PROTOTYPE HELICOPTER LOST POWER.  AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A TAIL LOW CONDITION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAIL ROTOR AND MAIN ROTOR.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT A HIGH GROSS WEIGHT AND AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY TO MEET CERTIFICATION CRITERIA.  THE RIGGING BETWEEN THE THROTTLE AND FUEL CONTROL UNIT WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY SET, CAUSING THE PREVENTION OF CONTINUOUS ENGINE POWER THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT TEST PROFILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N330TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330TT-2000-08-05), registration cancelled 2000-08-05, S/N S1246T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269D
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269D](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269d) (registry code 8059501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51246T
- Airframe hours: 1189
- Engines: ALLISON 250/C2OW 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Schweitzer Aircraft Corp.
- Registered owner: Schweitzer Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000, 95 hours before
- Departed: ELM, ELMIRA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,250 total, 4,300 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELM, 10 nm away

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.

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