# NTSB CEN10CA183: Schweizer 269C, N67TK, Idledale, CO, April 4, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 4, 2010, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Idledale, CO - Coordinates: 39.670276, -105.219718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6703&lon=-105.2197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Schweizer Aircraft, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75629/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75629 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA183 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed remedial actions to regain rotor rpm, resulting in a rapid descent and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter flight instructor and private pilot were conducting an approach to a pinnacle landing pad. Two previous passes were made and both pilots estimated winds to be from the northeast at 8 knots. While approaching the landing pad from the southwest, the flight instructor noticed that the helicopter's rpms were slightly low and he reminded the private pilot to increase power until the rpms were in the green arc of the rpm gauge. The private pilot did not increase power sufficiently enough to place the rotor rpm in the green arc and the helicopter began to descend rapidly. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, increased power, and attempted to reverse course and travel downhill. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and rolled approximately 1 1/4 times before coming to rest on its right side and sustaining substantial damage to its fuselage and tail boom. An examination of the airframe by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. Additionally, neither pilot reported a malfunction of the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor and private pilot were conducting an approach to a pinnacle landing pad. Two previous passes were made and both pilots estimated winds to be from the northeast at 8 knots. While approaching the landing pad from the southwest, the flight instructor noticed that the helicopter's rpm were slightly low and he reminded the private pilot to increase power until the rpm's were in the green arc of the rpm gauge. The private pilot did not increase power sufficiently enough to place the rotor rpm in the green arc and the helicopter began to descend rapidly. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, increased power, and attempted to reverse course and travel downhill. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and rolled approximately 1 1/4 times before coming to rest on its right side. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and tail boom. An examination of the airframe by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. Additionally, neither pilot reported a malfunction of the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67TK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67TK), registered now, S/N S1838 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1838 - Airframe hours: 1090 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aerial Resources LLC, doing business as Front Range Helicopters - Registered owner: Aerial Resources LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 30, 2010 - Departed: KBJC, BROOMFIELD, CO - Destination: KBJC, BROOMFIELD, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 16, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 116 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 185 total, 185 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KBJC, 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 20100404031119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100404031119A), Apr 4, 2010: Schweizer 269C, Morrison, CO, Substantial damage. On 4/4/2010 a Schweizer 269C crashed while attempting to do a Pinnacle approach and landing on mt Morrison Colorado. The pilot was being instructed by a CFI.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75629. 1.4 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=40328467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement: Private Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%3A%20Private%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-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.