# NTSB CEN20CA240: Schweizer 269C, N298TH, Sheffield, TX, June 21, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 21, 2020, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Sheffield, TX
- Coordinates: 30.653888, -101.787498
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6539&lon=-101.7875&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101469/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101469
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA240

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fence while hovering.

## 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 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was hovering low to the ground, near a fence line, inspecting water and grass on his property. The helicopter drifted during the hover and right skid struck the fence. The helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to main rotor blades, main rotor drive system, windshield, and door post.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N298TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N298TH-2026-05-02), registration cancelled 2026-05-02, S/N S1758 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C (Undesignat)
- 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: S1758
- Year built: 1998
- Airframe hours: 1440.3
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 2020, 14 hours before
- Departed: PVT, Sheffield, TX
- Destination: PVT, Sheffield, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20200621005859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200621005859A), Jun 21, 2020: Schweizer 269C, Sheffield, TX, Substantial damage. On June 21, 2020, a Schweizer 269C bearing the registration number N298TH hit a fence while hovering. The helicopter impacted terrain resulting in substantial…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101469. 9.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 2, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.

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