# NTSB CHI94LA129: Schweizer 269C, N100LU, Hebron, NE, April 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1994, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Hebron, NE
- Coordinates: 40.160037, -97.579116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1600&lon=-97.5791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA129

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS DURING AERIAL TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - aerial
  - object - airport facility
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS REPOSITIONING THE HELICOPTER FOR TAKEOFF AFTER REFUELING ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING FLIGHT.  THE HELICOPTER TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED AND BECAME ENTANGLED IN AN AIRPORT WINDSOCK.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE MAIN AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND, THE LEFT SKID COLLAPSED, AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST UPRIGHT.

## Factual narrative

On April 8, 1994, at 1730 hours central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C, N100LU, operated as a training helicopter by Silver Hawk Aviation of Lincoln, Nebraska, contacted a wind sock with its tail rotor at the Hebron Municipal Airport, Hebron, Nebraska.  The helicopter was substantially damaged.  The student solo pilot suffered minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, winds were 20 knots gusting to 30 knots, and no flight plan was filed.

The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, had originated from Seward, Nebraska, and was departing Hebron on a return leg of a student solo cross country.  The pilot was repositioning the helicopter for departure after refueling.  While hovering backwards, the tail rotor became entangled in a windsock adjacent to the ramp, a loss of control occurred, and the main and tail rotor blades contacted the ground.  The helicopter came to rest upright with one skid collapsed and the engine was secured by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N100LU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1546
- Airframe hours: 390
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-E1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Weatherl
- Registered owner: Silver Hawk Security
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1993, 96 hours before
- Destination: SWT, SEWARD, NE
- Airport: HJH, Hebron Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 100 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRI, 50 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 19940408000039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940408000039A), Apr 8, 1994: Hughes 269C, Hebron, NE, Substantial damage. Drifted while hovering in strong gusty wind. Tail rotor tangled in wind sock main and tail rotors struck ground.

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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