# NTSB CHI93LA159: Schweizer 269C, N7504D, Grand Forks, ND, May 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1993, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Coordinates: 47.910335, -97.070503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9103&lon=-97.0705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF COLLECTIVE IN RECOVERING FROM A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO GROUND RESONANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - run on landing - performed, pilot in command
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command
  - collective - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  THE PILOT STATED HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND CENTERED THE CYCLIC IN ORDER TO STOP A GROUND RUN DURING THE LANDING.  THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE PILOT BROUGHT THE CYCLIC BACK TO CENTER, ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE AND VERIFIED THAT THE COLLECTIVE WAS LOWERED.  THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SHAKE WITH THE BLADES STRIKING THE GROUND.  THE SADDLE FUEL TANK SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND A FIRE WAS INITIATED.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO ITS BEING CONSUMED BY FIRE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF HELICOPTER AND ITS COMPONENTS NOT DESTROYED IN THE FIRE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7504D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7504D-1994-08-03), registration cancelled 1994-08-03, S/N S1199 (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: 7504D
- Airframe hours: 4930
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-S1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: University Of North Dakota
- Registered owner: University Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1993, 3 hours before
- Airport: 6NA9, Sky Ranch, runway 35, 2,500 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 95 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK, 4 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 19930505012369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930505012369A), May 5, 1993: Hughes 269C, Grand Forks, ND, Destroyed. Helicopter began shake after short landing slide. Canopy collapsed and fire ensued. Ground resonance had occurred.

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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