# NTSB CHI94LA316: Schweizer 269C, N61245, Grand Forks, ND, September 7, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1994, 11:24 local (16:24 UTC)
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Coordinates: 47.909271, -97.069641 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9093&lon=-97.0696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA316

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's (CFI) delayed recovery from a practice autorotation. A factor associated with the accident was the student pilot's improper autorotation.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - autorotation - improper, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED HE AND THE STUDENT PILOT WERE PRACTICING SIMULATED EMERGENCY AUTOROTATIONS TO A POWER RECOVERY. DURING THE ACCIDENT AUTOROTATION, THE CFI SAID HE ADJUSTED THE POWER TO 3100 RPM AND THEN TOLD THE STUDENT TO RECOVER. THE CFI NOTICED THAT THE HELICOPTER'S DESCENT HAD NOT BEEN ARRESTED, AND HE JOINED THE STUDENT ON THE CONTROLS. THE CFI WAS ATTEMPTING TO AUTOROTATE WHEN THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER AND ITS ENGINE DISCOVERED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL ANOMALIES.

## Factual narrative

On September 7, 1994, about 1124 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N61245, sustained substantial damage when it landed hard during a practice autorotation near Grand Forks, North Dakota.  The certificated flight instructor and student pilot aboard reported no injuries.  The local, instructional flight operated without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

The flight instructor reported he and the student had practiced several successful autorotations.  The final, accident autorotation was to be with a power recovery. The instructor said he adjusted the throttle to 3100 RPM, and told the student to recover. When the rate of descent was not arrested, the instructor joined the student on the controls and attempted to autorotate just prior to ground collision.

Postaccident inspection of the helicopter discovered no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomaly.  The helicopter's engine was started and accelerated without any observed deficiencies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61245](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61245-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N S1654, built 1993 (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: S1654
- Airframe hours: 656
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-DIA 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: University Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 1994, 73 hours before
- Departed: GFK, NE
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,400 total, 310 in this make and model, 2,250 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK

## 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 19940907025909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940907025909A), Sep 7, 1994: Hughes 269C, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Found lying on its side.

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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