# NTSB DFW07CA146: Schweizer 269C, N292B, Slidell, LA, June 28, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2007, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Slidell, LA - Coordinates: 30.167222, -89.65583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1672&lon=-89.6558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 66113 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66113/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with settling with power condition while hovering out of ground effect. A contributing factor was the prevailing tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - out of ground effect - rotor rpm - low, pilot in command - weather condition - high wind - settling with power - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis The single-engine helicopter encountered a settling with power condition resulting in a hard landing on a marsh. The 3,300-hour commercial pilot was hovering the helicopter at approximately 100 feet above the ground (AGL) while performing a wildlife/mapping survey, approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), when he lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter's tail-boom separated and the main rotor blades impacted the ground during the hard landing. The helicopter came to rest in the upright position with the nose pointing skyward. The pilot was able to exit the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that he had a 15 knot tailwind, when he slowed the helicopter to mark a waypoint. As he applied left torque pedal and added collective, the main rotor RPM drooped. The pilot was unable to recover sufficient rotor RPM to prevent ground contact. The pilot further stated that there were no malfunctions with the helicopter's engine or controls. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the temperature was reported as 85-degrees Fahrenheit. ## Factual narrative The single-engine helicopter encountered a settling with power condition resulting in a hard landing on a marsh. The 3,300-hour commercial pilot was hovering the helicopter at approximately 100 feet above the ground (AGL) while performing a wildlife/mapping survey, approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), when he lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter's tail-boom separated and the main rotor blades impacted the ground during the hard landing. The helicopter came to rest in the upright position with the nose pointing skyward. The pilot was able to exit the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that he had a 15 knot tailwind, when he slowed the helicopter to mark a waypoint. As he applied left torque pedal and added collective, the main rotor RPM drooped. The pilot was unable to recover sufficient rotor RPM to prevent ground contact. The pilot further stated that there were no malfunctions with the helicopter's reciprocating engine or controls. Visual metrological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the temperature was reported as 85-degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N292B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N292B), registered now, S/N S1385, built 1989 (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: 1385 - Airframe hours: 6120 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Valley Helicopter Services, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2007 - Departed: Slidell, LA - Destination: Slidell, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 3,400 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 20070628831969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070628831969A), Jun 28, 2007: Hughes 269C, Slidell, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Single-engine helicopter encountered settling with power resulting in a hard landing on a marsh land. The 3400 hour commercial pilot was hovering the… ## Other investigations on N292B (1) 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 CEN16LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA084), Dec 22, 2015: Schweizer 269C (N292B), Warrenton, MO, destroyed. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in the loss of visual reference to the ground and his subsequent failure to… 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.