# NTSB CHI08CA020: Schweizer 269C, N75068, Hazelton, IN, December 5, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 5, 2007, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Hazelton, IN - Coordinates: 38.508335, -87.608329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5083&lon=-87.6083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67378/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA020 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed during the intentional autorotation, and his subsequent inability to reduce the descent rate prior to impact. A contributing factor was the intentional autorotation initiated by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper descent rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot initiated an intentional autorotation to a landing site at the destination airport. He recalled that after entering the autorotation, the helicopter drifted and that reaching the intended touchdown point became questionable. The pilot reported that he had intended to add power and continue to the intended landing site, but the helicopter did not seem to respond as expected. The pilot was unable to reduce the descent rate and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground at the point of intended landing. A post accident inspection did not reveal any anomalies associated with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot initiated an intentional autorotation to a landing site at the destination airport. He recalled that after entering the autorotation, the helicopter drifted and that reaching the intended touchdown point became questionable. The pilot reported that he had intended to add power and continue to the intended landing site, but the helicopter did not seem to respond as expected. The pilot was unable to reduce the descent rate and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground at the point of intended landing. A post accident inspection did not reveal any anomalies associated with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75068](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75068), registered now, S/N S1323, built 1988 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1323 - Airframe hours: 2072 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-O1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006 - Departed: EHR, Henderson, KY - Destination: 0IN1, Hazelton, IN - Airport: 0IN1, Snider Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 8,050 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 7,380 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: EVV, 28 nm away ## Other investigations on N75068 (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 CHI98LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA332), Sep 4, 1998: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Decker, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance resulting in a collision with a fence. - [NTSB ATL90LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA043), Dec 22, 1989: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Norcross, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER EXECUTION OF THE LANDING PROCEDURE RESULTING IN DYNAMIC ROLL-OVER OF THE HELICOPTER. - [NTSB MIA89LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA018), Oct 28, 1988: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Arcadia, FL, 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.