# NTSB CHI03LA098: Schweizer 269C, N8968F, Wichita, KS, April 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2003, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Wichita, KS - Coordinates: 37.647499, -97.384445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6475&lon=-97.3844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56791/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA098 ## Probable cause The premature lowering of the collective and the improper use of the cyclic during the run-on landing performed by the flight instructor, as well as the main rotor/tail boom contact. Contributing factors were the intentional run-on landing, the grass landing surface and the severed tail boom. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - run on landing - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - lowering of collective - premature, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - Rotor failure/malfunction, landing - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact (cause) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - cut/severed (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter was substantially damaged during a run-on landing following a practice autorotation. The flight instructor stated that during the landing the helicopter rotated forward "lifting the tailboom into the path of the main-rotor, which severed the tailboom." The aircraft turned to the left approximately 90 degrees and came to a rest. The instructor was demonstrating a full touchdown autorotation to a run-on landing on the grass area adjacent to a paved runway. The dual student reported that the touchdown itself was light and the helicopter did not decelerate very rapidly until the end of the ground run. According to both pilots the grass landing area was smooth, firm and dry. Neither pilot reported any malfunctions with the helicopter or the engine prior to the accident. The pilot's flight manual included a caution stating: "Avoid rapid lowering of collective pitch control after ground contact." The FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook specifies that when conducting a running landing, "due to the increased ground friction when you lower the collective, the helicopter's nose might pitch forward. Exercise caution not to correct this pitching movement with aft cyclic since this movement could result in the rotor making contact with the tailboom." ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2003, at 1545 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N8968F, piloted by a flight instructor and dual student, was substantially damaged during a run-on landing following a practice autorotation at the Westport Airport (71K), Wichita, Kansas. During the landing, the helicopter flipped forward causing the main rotor to contact the tail boom. The dual student was a commercial pilot and was receiving instruction in preparation for the flight instructor practical test. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight instructor reported no injuries. The dual student reported minor injuries. The local flight reportedly began at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) approximately 1430. They completed hover practice and autorotations at ICT prior to departing for 71K approximately 1500. According to the instructor's statement, after completing several practice autorotations, an autorotation to a run-on landing was conducted. He stated it went as planned "until the last 8 feet of the ground run." He reported that "the right skid caught on the sod surface" and the helicopter rotated forward "lifting the tailboom into the path of the main-rotor, which severed the tailboom." The aircraft turned to the left approximately 90 degrees and came to a rest. He noted that the sod surface was dry and was "consistent throughout the entire touchdown area." The dual student stated they had "completed 4 straight in auto's to the ground on runway 35 at Westport." He added: "We elected to use the grass runway to do the auto's to help soften the touchdowns. The instructor was demonstrating a full touch down auto to the ground with a run on landing ... . The grass was smooth and firm, condition dry. The auto was successful and touch down light." He noted the aircraft slid approx 90 feet. "As [the helicopter] slowed, the nose pitched down, pitching the tail boom up into the rotor system. The main rotor struck the tail boom just ahead of the tail rotor gear box severing the tail boom." He also noted that the helicopter did not decelerate very rapidly until the end of the run. Neither pilot reported any malfunctions with the helicopter or engine prior to the accident. The pilot's flight manual included a caution stating: "Avoid rapid lowering of collective pitch control after ground contact." The Federal Aviation Administraion Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21, specifies that when conducting a running landing, "due to the increased ground friction when you lower the collective, the helicopter's nose might pitch forward. Exercise caution not to correct this pitching movement with aft cyclic since this movement could result in the rotor making contact with the tailboom." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8968F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8968F-2005-06-13), registration cancelled 2005-06-13, S/N 630212, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 630212 - Airframe hours: 11796 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ballard Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 2, 2003, 2 hours before - Departed: ICT, Wichita, KS - Destination: 71K, Wichita, KS - Airport: 71K, Westport, runway 35, 3,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 4, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 17,300 total, 1,080 in this make and model, 16,725 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 13, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 615 total, 82 in this make and model, 566 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: ICT, 2 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 20030407005049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030407005049A), Apr 7, 2003: Hughes 269C, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Letts is a helicopter flight instructor that was in the left (pilot) seat and demonstrating a touchdown autorotation to Mr. Frye. Mr. Frye was… ## Other investigations on N8968F (3) 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 MKC76AK008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76AK008), Jul 7, 1975: Hughes 269C (N8968F), Wichita, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC75FCQ24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCQ24), Nov 20, 1974: Hughes 269C (N8968F), Greenwich, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC74DCQ26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCQ26), Feb 19, 1974: Hughes 269C (N8968F), Wichita, KS, substantial damage 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.