# NTSB CEN12CA431: Schweizer 269C, N565LH, Denton, TX, July 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2012, 16:22 local (21:22 UTC) - Place: Denton, TX - Coordinates: 33.201946, -97.197776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2019&lon=-97.1978&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 September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84276 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA431 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84276/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84276 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA431 ## Probable cause The flight instructor and student pilot exceeded the helicopter's takeoff performance, which resulted in low rotor rpm and settling. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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 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) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were practicing takeoffs and landings to confined areas. The student pilot performed a maximum performance takeoff from a confined area to an altitude of about 10 feet above the trees. During the transition to forward flight, the low rotor rpm horn sounded and the helicopter began to settle toward the trees. The instructor applied full throttle and forward cyclic. The helicopter continued to settle and the rotor rpm continued to decay. The instructor leveled the helicopter, applied full collective, and the main rotor blades contacted trees. The helicopter settled into the trees and came to rest nose down. The instructor recommended that the student limit maximum performance takeoffs to large confined areas when operating above 3,000 feet density altitude. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident and a calculated density altitude of 3,500 feet. ## Factual narrative The instructor and student were practicing takeoffs and landings to confined areas. The student pilot performed a maximum performance takeoff from a confined area to an altitude of approximately 10 feet above the trees. During the transition to forward flight, the low rotor RPM horn sounded and the helicopter began to settle towards the trees. The instructor applied full throttle and forward cyclic. The helicopter continued to settle and the rotor RPM continued to decay. The instructor leveled the helicopter, applied full collective, and the main rotor blades contacted trees. The helicopter settled into the trees and came to rest nose down. The instructor recommended that he limit maximum performance takeoffs to large confined areas when operating above 3,000 feet density altitude. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident, and a calculated density altitude of 3,500 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N565LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N565LH-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N S1904, built 2007 (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-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-d1a) (registry code 41893, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1904 - Airframe hours: 3037 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Longhorn Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Longhorn Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2012 - Departed: DTO, Denton, TX - Destination: DTO, Denton, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,910 total, 57 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 30; injuries: none; student, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 434 total, 39 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: DTO, 4 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 20120706011979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120706011979A), Jul 6, 2012: Schweizer 269C, Denton, TX, Substantial damage. On July 6, 2012 at 1620 local time N565LH, a HU-269C helicopter owned by longhorn helicopters inc crashed approximately 4 miles south of the Denton airport… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84276. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372938&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.