# NTSB ERA09CA349: Schweizer 269C-1, N1565B, Titusville, FL, June 13, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 13, 2009, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.514722, -80.799163 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5147&lon=-80.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74053/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA349

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during hover, resulting in a rollover.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The rotorcraft pilot stated that the purpose of his flight was to practice flight maneuvers. He said that he was at a 3-foot hover when the right rear skid made contact with the ground. The helicopter suddenly rolled onto its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gearbox. The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies. Winds about the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 5 knots.

## Factual narrative

The certificated private rotorcraft pilot stated that the purpose of his flight was to practice flight maneuvers. He said that he was at a 3-foot hover when the right, rear skid made contact with the ground. The helicopter suddenly rolled onto its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gearbox. The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies. Winds about the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 5 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1565B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1565B-2011-02-24), registration cancelled 2011-02-24, S/N 0202, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C-1
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (registry code 8059504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0202
- Airframe hours: 2609
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bristow Academy Inc
- Registered owner: Bristow Academy Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 27, 2009, 42 hours before
- Departed: TIX, Titusville, FL
- Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL
- Airport: TIX, Space Coast Regional Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 311 total, 102 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX

## 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 20090613047279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090613047279A), Jun 13, 2009: Schweizer 269C-1, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was on a solo instructional flight practicing for a commercial flight check. During hovering manuvering the pilot allowed the aircraft to settle and the…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74053. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (KTIX METARs) (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315493&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20(KTIX%20METARs)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by Bristow Academy. View Showing Damage to Rotorcraft. (item 4, .PDF, 564 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20Bristow%20Academy.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Rotorcraft.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by Bristow Academy. View Showing Damage to Main Rotor Head and Cabin. (item 5, .PDF, 501 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20Bristow%20Academy.%20%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Main%20Rotor%20Head%20and%20Cabin.-Master.PDF

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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