# NTSB CEN12CA402: Schweizer TH55A/269A, N488MC, Grinnell, IA, June 26, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2012, 14:33 local (19:33 UTC) - Place: Grinnell, IA - Coordinates: 41.705833, -92.734725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7058&lon=-92.7347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84119 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84119/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84119 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA402 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind during a hovering maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and directional control. ## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer TH55A/269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059503), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer TH55A/269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8059503), [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. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer TH55A/269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059503), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot and his passenger were returning to the airport after a local flight. In preparation to land, the pilot approached a grassy area adjacent to the runway and entered a hover into a 12-knot wind that was gusting to 16 knots. The pilot then made a right-pedal turn downwind. He said that during the turn the wind caught the tail and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot could not stop the turning; the tailrotor struck a fence, and the main rotor blades hit the ground. A review of photographs of the helicopter taken after the accident revealed that the tail rotor blades, main rotor blades, and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot and his passenger were returning to the airport after a local flight. In preparation to land, the pilot approached a grassy area adjacent to the runway and entered a hover into a 12 knot wind. The wind was also gusting to 16 knots. The pilot then made a right pedal turn downwind. He said that during the turn, the wind caught the tail and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot did not have enough left pedal to stop turning and the tailrotor struck a fence and the main rotor blades hit the ground. A review of photographs taken of the helicopter after the accident revealed the tail rotor blades, main rotor blades, and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N488MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N488MC-2021-03-20), registration cancelled 2021-03-20, S/N 680885 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER(HUGHES)AIRCRAFT CORP TH55A/269A - Registry model: [Schweizer TH55A/269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-th55a-269a) (registry code 8059503) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 680885 - Airframe hours: 11666 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lowry Flying Service - Registered owner: Lowry Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2012 - Departed: None, New Sharon, IA - Destination: GGI, Grinnell, IA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: GGI, Grinnell ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 8,718 total, 47 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 16 ## 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 20120626010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120626010919A), Jun 26, 2012: Schweizer(Hughes)Aircraft Corp TH55A/269A, Grinnell, IA, Substantial damage. On June 26, 2012, [privacy data omitted] departed new sharon in N488MC, enroute to ggi with a passenger. Approximatley 1215 local, [privacy data omitted] made… ## Other investigations on N488MC (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA05CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA168), Aug 12, 2005: Hughes 269A (N488MC), Ashland, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inability of the dual student to maintain directional control of the helicopter during the landing roll when the left skid sank into an area of thick, soft, sticky tar, and the instructor pilot's… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84119. 680 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372338&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.