# NTSB CHI93GA046: Schweizer 269C, N640KC, Kansas City, MO, December 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1992, 20:51 local (Dec 2, 1992, 02:51 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, MO
- Coordinates: 39.050872, -94.490219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0509&lon=-94.4902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93GA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93GA046

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGING THE DISTANCE DURING THE AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - disengaged (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ON A ROUTINE NIGHT PATROL THE POLICE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF THE LARGE CLEVIS PIN IN THE CLUTCH CONTROL SPRING ASSEMBLY.  THE LOSS OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLY DISCONNECTED THE POWERPLANT FROM THE ROTOR SYSTEM. THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION.  THE TERRAIN UNDERLYING THE LANDING ATTEMPT WAS A RAVINE WITH HIGH TREES.  THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO JUDGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE HELICOPTER AND THE GROUND TO SUCCESSFULLY EFFECT AN AUTOROTATIONAL LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N640KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N640KC-1992-12-24), registration cancelled 1992-12-24, S/N S1474 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1474
- Airframe hours: 2174
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Board Of Police Commissioners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 30, 1992, 74 hours before
- Destination: 3MO1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,400 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCI, 20 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 19921201048819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921201048819A), Dec 1, 1992: Hughes 269C, Kansas City, MO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost rotor RPM on night police observation flight. Crashed into trees. Clutch spring assembly separated in flight.

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.