# NTSB ERA09CA120: Schweizer 269C, N36254, Panama City, FL, December 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2008, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Panama City, FL - Coordinates: 30.109722, -85.71389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1097&lon=-85.7139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73173/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during an out-of-ground-effect hover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer HUGHES 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=8059500), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer HUGHES 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=8059500), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer HUGHES 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059500), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a Schweizer 269C helicopter was conducting a non-revenue sightseeing flight, looking for alligators, and he entered an out-of-ground-effect hover at 50-70 feet above ground level. He hovered the helicopter into the wind, which he based on the water conditions. After hovering for about 5 seconds, the pilot pitched forward on the cyclic and raised collective. The helicopter then entered an uncommanded right yaw. The pilot immediately lowered the collective, applied forward cyclic and left anti-torque pedal; however the yaw continued. The helicopter completed at least eight 360-degree turns to the right as he leveled the helicopter and raised the collective. The helicopter subsequently landed in the about 2 feet of water and came to rest upright, without injuries or damage to any property. The pilot believed he experienced a loss of tail rotor authority, and he did not feel any vibration in the anti-torque pedals. He remarked that the nearby trees could have changed the wind direction. The reported wind near the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 310 degrees at 7 knots. Postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a Schweizer 269C helicopter was conducting a non-revenue sightseeing flight, looking for alligators, and he entered an out-of-ground-effect hover at 50-70 feet above ground level. He hovered the helicopter into the wind, which he based on the water conditions. After hovering for about 5 seconds, the pilot pitched forward on the cyclic and raised collective. The helicopter then entered an uncommanded right yaw. The pilot immediately lowered the collective, applied forward cyclic and left anti-torque pedal; however the yaw continued. The helicopter completed at least eight 360-degree turns to the right, as he leveled the helicopter, and raised the collective. The helicopter subsequently landed in the about 2 feet of water and came to rest upright, without injuries or damage to any property. The helicopter sustained damage to the landing skids and cross tubes. The pilot believed he experienced a loss of tail rotor authority, and he did not feel any vibration in the anti-torque pedals. He remarked that the nearby trees could have changed the wind direction. The reported wind near the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 310 degrees at 7 knots. Postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36254](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36254-2021-08-05), registration cancelled 2021-08-05, S/N S1186 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C - Registry model: [Schweizer HUGHES 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-hughes-269c) (registry code 8059500) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1186 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Emerald Coast Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Emerald Coast Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 0FD1, Panama City, FL - Destination: 0FD1, Panama City, FL - Airport: 0FD1, Panhandle Helicopter Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 534 total, 211 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: PFN, 6 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 20081231856849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081231856849A), Dec 31, 2008: Hughes 269C, Panama City Be, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was in a 50 ft hover looking at an alligator. He stated he was starting to pitch forward and pull in some power when he experienced an… ## Other investigations on N36254 (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 FTW99LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA092), Mar 10, 1999: Schweizer Hughes 269C (N36254), Laredo, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to a bearing shift, which resulted in fatigue cracking of the crankshaft and subsequent failure of the crankshaft. A factor was a lack of suitable terrain for the forced… 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.