# NTSB CHI98LA332: Schweizer 269C, N75068, Decker, IN, September 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 1998, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Decker, IN - Coordinates: 38.509967, -87.520004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5100&lon=-87.5200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA332 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43841/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA332 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance resulting in a collision with a fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - in ground effect - object - fence post (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot of the accident helicopter said that he was initiating a departure from the yard of a private residence. He said he backed the helicopter tail rotor into a steel fence post. He reported no other mechanical or control difficulties with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 1998, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Schweizer 269C, N75068, sustained substantial damage on impact with a metal fence post during a takeoff from a residential back yard, near Decker, Indiana. The pilot told investigators that he was air taxiing in a hover, backing out of the landing site, when the tail rotor came in contact with a metal fence post. He reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the local flight which was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported this accident. He said that he was departing from a private residence. He said, "I was departing my mother's place and backed the helicopter tail rotor into a steel fence post." He reported no other mechanical or control difficulties 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: 1726 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth C. Snider - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1998, 38 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,901 total, 1,002 in this make and model, 6,287 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 84 °F ## 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 19980904022619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980904022619A), Sep 4, 1998: Hughes 269C, Decker, IN, Substantial damage. Helicopter suffered tail rotor and tail boom damage during hover. (-23) the pilot was departing from private landing site and was maneuvering rearward at a… ## 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 CHI08CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA020), Dec 5, 2007: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Hazelton, IN, substantial damage. 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… - [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.