# NTSB CEN09LA575: Schweizer 269C, N626LH, Preston, TX, September 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 2009, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Preston, TX - Coordinates: 33.882778, -96.62889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8828&lon=-96.6289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74691 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA575 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74691/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74691 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA575 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis While conducting an aerial survey approximately 350-450 feet above the surface of a lake, the single-engine helicopter experienced a loss of engine power. Due to crowded beach conditions, the pilot elected to perform the forced landing offshore. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted and were picked up in a personal watercraft. The helicopter was recovered and examined; however, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 2009, about 1530 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N626LH, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing into Lake Texoma near Preston, Texas. The pilot and the single occupant were not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Longhorn Helicopters Inc., of Denton, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local flight. The flight had originated from Cedar Mills Airport (3T0), Gordonville, Texas, at 1300. According to the pilot, while conducting an aerial survey approximately 350-450 feet above the water, the engine experienced a loss of power. Due to crowded beach conditions, the pilot elected to perform the forced landing off shore. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted and were picked up in a personal watercraft. The helicopter was recovered from the lake and examined. Investigators removed the engine oil drain plug and drained water and oil from the engine crankcase. The engine's lower spark plugs and valve covers were removed. The engine was manually rotated via the main drive pulley and valve train continuity was established to each cylinder and to the accessory gears. In addition, thumb compression was developed in each cylinder. The magnetos were dried out and produced spark to all posts when tested via a magneto test bench. The fuel servo and injector nozzles were removed, flow checked, and disassembled for inspection. No pre existing anomalies were found. Both fuel tanks were found to contain a quantity of a blue liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel. The electric standby fuel pump switch was found in the "ON" position. The pilot reported, that per company policy, when flying at low altitude the standby pump was to be activated at all times. The pilot further verified that the standby fuel pump was on for the entire accident flight. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N626LH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N626LH), registered now, S/N S1917, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-d1a) (registry code 41839, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1917 - Airframe hours: 674 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-D1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Longhorn Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Longhorn Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 25, 2009 - Departed: 3T0, Gordonville, TX - Destination: 3T0, Gordonville, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 24, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 15,500 total, 375 in this make and model, 14,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg ## 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 20090905019529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090905019529A), Sep 5, 2009: Schwei 269C, Pottsboro, TX, Substantial damage. Accident occurred in lake texoma near grand pappy point on 09/05/2009 at approximately 15:15. The engine lost power as the helicopter was climbing between 350… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74691. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320108&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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.