# NTSB BFO94LA011: Schweizer 269C, N41S, Elmira, NY, November 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 1993, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Elmira, NY - Location: 42.1599° N, 76.8917° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELMIRA/CORNING RGNL (ELM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1599&lon=-76.8917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8869/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA011 ## Probable cause A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT A CRITICAL POINT ON A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN A FLARE FOR THE LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND AND DOWNDRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, landing - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT AND CO-PILOT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS DURING A TEST FLIGHT. DURING THEIR SEVENTH AUTOROTATION, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AUTOROTATION WAS CONTINUED AND THE CREW REPORTED THEY ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE CONTROL TOWER REPORTED THE WINDS FROM A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 240 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS. IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT CONCERNING THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE FROM A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 230 DEGREES VARIABLE TO 270 DEGREES AT 23 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 35 KNOTS. THE MANUFACTURER'S FLIGHT MANUAL STATES: 'CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE IN 20 MPH WINDS FROM ANY DIRECTION.' THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE'S LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 1993, about 1100 hours eastern standard time, a Schweizer 269C, N41S, landed hard at the termination of a practice autorotation, at Elmira Airport, Elmira, New York. About 100 feet above the ground, the crewmembers noted a total loss of engine power. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries and the certificated commercial co-pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area experimental test flight was being operated by Schweizer Aircraft, Incorporated of Elmira. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. An FAA safety inspector examined the aircraft and interviewed the crewmembers on scene. The pilots told the inspector they were performing their seventh practice autorotation when the accident occurred. They said that about 100 feet above the ground during the simulated engine failure autorotative descent, they noted the helicopter's engine had actually failed. They further reported that a "strong downdraft" was encountered and the helicopter landed hard. A weather observation was taken at Elmira Airport at 1058 hours and at that time the winds were from 240 degrees magnetic at 15 knots with gusts to 30 knots. The winds reported by the pilot in the Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were from a magnetic bearing of 230 degrees variable to 270 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 35 knots. Paragraph 5-1 of the Schweizer Aircraft Model 269C Helicopter Pilot's Flight Manual states: "Controllability has been shown to be adequate in 20 mph winds from any direction." The reason for the engine's loss of power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N41S (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1660 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Schweizer Aircraft Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: ELM - Destination: NY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: ELM, Elmira Corning Regional, runway 28, 5,202 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 835 total, 750 in this make and model, 735 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELM ## 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 19931115042929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931115042929A), Nov 15, 1993: Hughes 269C, Elmira, NY, Substantial damage. Practicing autorotations for test flight. At 100FT engine quit. Downdraft. Impacted hard. Engine problem unknown. 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.