# NTSB CEN10CA390: Schweizer 269C, N9421G, Santa Rosa, NM, July 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2010, 18:30 local (Jul 9, 2010, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Rosa, NM - Coordinates: 34.935554, -104.642501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9356&lon=-104.6425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards Disctrict Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 76607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA390 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76607/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76607 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA390 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while landing in gusty surface winds conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the written statement provided by the flight instructor, during the cross country flight they elected to divert due to thunderstorms building in the area. While on approach to runway 19, the helicopter encountered a wind gust (estimated to be 45 knots) and "lost tail rotor authority." The flight instructor immediately took control of the helicopter, from the student; however, the tail rotor struck the runway. The flight instructor was able to level and land the helicopter without further incident. The helicopter was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealing that one frame tube was broken, the skid cross tube was bent, and a tail rotor blade was damaged. The flight instructor confirmed that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the written statement provided by the flight instructor, during the cross country flight they elected to divert due to thunderstorms building in the area. While on approach to runway 19, the helicopter encountered a wind gust (estimated to be 45 knots) and "lost tail rotor authority." The flight instructor immediately took control of the helicopter, from the student; however, the tail rotor struck the runway. The flight instructor was able to level and land the helicopter without further incident. The helicopter was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealing that one frame tube was broken, the skid cross tube was bent, and a tail rotor blade was damaged. The flight instructor confirmed that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9421G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9421G-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N S1847, built 2003 (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: S1847 - Airframe hours: 519 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Cloud 9 Helicopters - Registered owner: North Bay Enterprises Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2010 - Departed: Propwash, TX - Destination: Sante Fe, NM - Airport: KSXU, Santa Rosa Route 66 Airport, runway 19, 5,013 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 530 total, 85 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 70 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots, gusting 45 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76607. 449 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.