# NTSB CHI99LA006: Schweizer 269C, N151KC, Oshkosh, NE, October 10, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1998, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, NE
- Coordinates: 41.400978, -102.340644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4010&lon=-102.3406&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): 44129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA006

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors associated with the accident were the high winds, low altitude at which the pilot was maneuvering and the uneven terrain which the helicopter contacted.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, other
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was checking cattle while flying over 'choppy' terrain at an altitude of 150 to 175 feet above the ground. He was flying to the southeast then made a turn to the northeast (downwind) and had just started a turn back to the southeast when the helicopter began to settle.  The helicopter impacted uneven terrain and rolled over to the left. The pilot reported the winds were from the south southeast at 20 knots with slight gusts at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 1998, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Schweizer 269C, N151KC, operated by a private pilot, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering over open land 15 miles east of Oshkosh, Nebraska.  The private pilot was not injured.  The helicopter was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight originated from Oshkosh, Nebraska, at 1445 mdt.

The pilot stated that he was checking cattle while flying over "choppy" terrain at an altitude of 150 to 175 feet above the ground.  He stated he was flying to the southeast then made a turn to the northeast (downwind) and had just started a turn back to the southeast when the helicopter began to settle.  The pilot reported that because the terrain was uneven the helicopter rolled over to the left when it contacted the terrain resulting in extensive damage to the rotor and tail.  He reported the winds were from the south southeast at 20 knots with slight gusts at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N151KC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N151KC), registered now, S/N S1752, built 1997 (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: S1752
- Airframe hours: 78
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard K. Christensen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1998, 28 hours before
- Departed: NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,928 total, 78 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19981010029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981010029009A), Oct 10, 1998: Hughes 269C, Oshkosh, NE, Substantial damage. Helicopter was making a low level descending turn into the wind when it struck hilly terrain and rolled over. (.19) on October 13, 1998, at 1615 mountain…

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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