# NTSB CHI02LA208: Schweizer 269C-1, N897TH, Askov, MN, July 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 2002, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Askov, MN - Coordinates: 46.180618, -92.78067 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1806&lon=-92.7807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55280/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55280 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA208 ## Probable cause Directional control not obtained/maintained during the aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis A helicopter piloted by a pilot with a helicopter solo endorsement contacted the ground while in a right spin after an aborted takeoff. The pilot reported that the helicopter went into the spin upon lift off 5-10 feet above the ground. He stated that he could not get the spin to completely stop. The main rotor blades exhibited impact damage and torsional buckling of the tail rotor drive shaft was consistent with a stoppage forward of the tail rotor drive shaft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The tail rotor's fracture surfaces were consistent with overstress. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 2002, at 1830 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C-1, N897TH, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Askov, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the helicopter immediately went into a right hand spin upon lift off while 5-10 feet above the ground. He could not get the spin to completely stop. The helicopter fell on its side because he had too much sideward motion when he attempted to land. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating with a reported total flight time of 640 hours in single engine airplanes. He had a helicopter solo endorsement and reported a total flight time of 41 hours in rotorcraft, of which 5 hours were in the last 30 days. Examination of the helicopter by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the main rotor exhibited impact damage and tail rotor drive shaft exhibited torsional buckling. Lines formed by these buckles sloped upwards towards the tail rotor. The tail to nose rotation of the tail rotor drive shaft is in the clockwise direction on Schweizer 269C helicopters. Flight control continuity from cockpit controls to the control surfaces was confirmed. The tail rotor blades did not exhibit chordwise damage, bending or crushing. The tail rotor was removed and shipped to the National Transportation Board for examination. The tail rotor fracture surfaces and attaching hardware were consistent with overstress. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N897TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N897TH-2006-02-10), registration cancelled 2006-02-10, S/N 0065, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C-1 - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (registry code 8059504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0065 - Airframe hours: 1595 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360-C1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dennis H. Jensen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 3, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: PVT, Askov, MN - Airport: PVT, Pvt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: MZH ## 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 20020720022019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020720022019A), Jul 20, 2002: Hughes 269C1, Askov, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Lifted off intending to execute left 180 degree turn. At liftoff helicopter began turning right, pilot reported he was unable to stop turn with left… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55280. 1.3 MB in all. - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 02-100 (item 1, .PDF, 3 photos, 861 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2002-100-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site (item 3, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40186461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Accident Site (item 4, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40186462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Accident%20Site-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. --- 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.