# NTSB ERA10CA264: Schweizer 269C, N113TA, Ormond Beach, FL, May 13, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 13, 2010, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Ormond Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 29.339721, -81.216941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3397&lon=-81.2169&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75998/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75998
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA264

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper use of collective and throttle during the landing flare.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

In preparation for an upcoming private pilot check ride, the student helicopter pilot was performing a simulated forced landing with his certificated flight instructor (CFI). During the flare, the student abruptly pulled up on the collective and rolled the throttle closed. The engine sputtered and subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The CFI attempted to recover power; however, insufficient altitude remained and the helicopter touched down on the right skid and bounced, severing the tail boom. The CFI stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

In preparation for an upcoming private pilot check ride, the student pilot was performing a simulated forced landing with his flight instructor. During the flare, the student abruptly pulled up on the collective and rolled the throttle the wrong way. The engine sputtered, then shut off. The instructor attempted to recover the engine, however insufficient altitude was available. The helicopter landed on the right skid and bounced, breaking off the tail boom. The instructor stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the helicopter during the accident sequence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N113TA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C (1)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0348
- Airframe hours: 916
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-G1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Tomlinson Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Tomlinson Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 2010, 16 hours before
- Departed: OMN, Ormond Beach, FL
- Destination: OMN, Ormond Beach, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,060 total, 385 in this make and model, 616 as pilot in command
- Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 58 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: OMN

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75998. 808 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330393&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Correspondence with Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.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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