# NTSB ERA10CA109: Schweizer 269C-1, N3275M, Grantsville, MD, January 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2010, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Grantsville, MD - Coordinates: 39.685001, -79.186111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6850&lon=-79.1861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75236/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75236 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of aircraft control after encountering turbulence over a mountain range. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain an Airmet for turbulence along the route of flight prior to departure and while enroute. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route to the destination airport, the pilot made a stop to fuel the helicopter and check the weather. According to the pilot, no precipitation was predicted for his route of flight, the winds were expected from the northwest at 15 knots, and a cloud ceiling of 2,500 feet broken was forecasted. He stated that no specific windshear or turbulence was forecasted. The pilot continued the flight and noted that the wind became stronger over the mountains. He decided he would land the helicopter after he passed over the second ridge; however, as he continued, "strong windshear" lifted the helicopter and then "dropped it to the ground." The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. He also reported approximately 600 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in make and model of the accident helicopter. Examination of recorded weather information revealed AIRMET TANGO for turbulence was in effect for the pilot's route of flight. ## Factual narrative While enroute to the destination airport, the pilot made a stop to fuel the helicopter and check the weather. According to the pilot, no precipitation was predicted for his route of flight, the winds were expected from the northwest at 15 knots, and a cloud ceiling of 2,500 feet broken was forecast. He stated that no specific windshear or turbulence was forecast. The pilot continued the flight and noted that the wind became stronger over the mountains. He decided he would land the helicopter after he passed over the second ridge; however, as he continued, "strong windshear" lifted the helicopter and then "dropped it to the ground." The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. He also reported approximately 600 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in make and model of the accident helicopter. Examination of recorded weather information revealed AIRMET TANGO for turbulence was in effect for the pilot's route of flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3275M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3275M-2012-05-08), registration cancelled 2012-05-08, S/N 0159, built 2003 (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 HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0159 - Airframe hours: 7193 - Engines: LYCOMING HO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Aerial Resources LLC - Registered owner: Aerial Resources LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 2010 - Departed: OMH, Orange, VA - Destination: FWQ, Monogahela, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: serious; private, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 614 total, 614 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command, 204 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 270° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: 2G4, 10 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 20100106048059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100106048059A), Jan 6, 2010: Schweizer 269C-1, Grantsville, MD, Destroyed. Pilot was transporting helicopter to pa. During snow conditions. Pilot attempted to make emergency landing and crashed in open field in Garrett county,… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75236. 3.0 MB in all. - NTSB Weather Documentation (item 1, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Weather%20Documentation-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aircraft wreckage (photo courtesy of salvage company) (item 2, .PDF, 632 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aircraft%20wreckage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20salvage%20company)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Instrument Panel (photo courtesy of salvage company) (item 3, .PDF, 807 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Instrument%20Panel%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20salvage%20company)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Aircraft during recovery (photo courtesy of salvage company) (item 4, .PDF, 565 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Aircraft%20during%20recovery%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20salvage%20company)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 5, .PDF, 626 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 6, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-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.