# NTSB ERA09CA542: Schweizer 269C, N233JA, Quarryville, PA, September 26, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 26, 2009, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC) - Place: Quarryville, PA - Coordinates: 39.857498, -76.205558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8575&lon=-76.2056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 74829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA542 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA542 ## Probable cause An untrained bystander's attempt to marshal the helicopter, which resulted in the helicopter's inadvertent encounter with an object. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): issuing instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had agreed to use his helicopter to participate in a publicity event at a golf course. The event consisted of landing in a designated area to pick up a load of golf balls, then dropping the golf balls from the hovering helicopter. Several days before the event, the pilot visited the golf course to survey the landing area. He was not advised to expect a marshaler. On the day of the accident, the helicopter approached the golf course, and entered a hover above the putting green that the pilot planned to land on. Several witnesses reported that a person on the ground began providing hand signals to direct the pilot. In response to the signals, the pilot began to back up the helicopter, and one of the landing skids contacted a wooden statue. The pilot was unable to regain control of the helicopter before it rolled onto its left side and struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin area, skids and tail boom, and the tail rotor was separated. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. Subsequent to the accident, it was determined that the marshaler was self-appointed, and that he did not have any formal training in marshaling aircraft. The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 17 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported winds of 9 knots about the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot had agreed to use his helicopter to participate in a publicity event at a golf course. The event consisted of landing in a designated area to pick up a load of golf balls, then dropping the golf balls from the hovering helicopter. Several days before the event, the pilot visited the golf course to survey the landing area. He was not advised to expect a marshaler. On the day of the accident, the helicopter approached the golf course, and entered a hover above the putting green that the pilot planned to land on. Several witnesses reported that a person on the ground began providing hand signals to direct the pilot. In response to the signals, the pilot began to back up the helicopter, and one of the landing skids contacted a wooden statue. The pilot was unable to regain control of the helicopter before it rolled onto its left side and struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the cabin area, skids and tail boom, and the tail rotor was separated. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident. Subsequent to the accident, it was determined that the marshaler was self-appointed, and that he did not have any formal training in marshaling aircraft. The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 17 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported winds of 9 knots about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N233JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233JA-2023-03-04), registration cancelled 2023-03-04, S/N S1798, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1798 - Airframe hours: 286 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air drop, Part 91 - Operator: Jay Leon Atkins - Registered owner: C V C Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 2009 - Departed: Darlington, MD - Destination: Quarryville, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 24, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 7,760 total, 2,964 in this make and model, 7,760 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: LNS, 17 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 20090926049759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090926049759A), Sep 26, 2009: Schweitzer 269C, Quarryville, PA, Substantial damage. During a hovering manuever, aircraft landing skid contacted a wooden statue, located adjacent to intended landing site, resulting in dynamic rollover. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74829. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-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. --- 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.