# NTSB ERA11CA474: Schweizer 269C-1, N2093U, Titusville, FL, August 27, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2011, 10:39 local (14:39 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.435556, -81.025276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4356&lon=-81.0253&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA474
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81608/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81608
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA474

## Probable cause

The student pilot's landing at an unapproved location, which resulted in a ground fire from the engine exhaust.

## Findings

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

- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)
- [Knowledge: knowledge of geographic area](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, he flew to a clearing to practice quick stops. He landed in the grass that he estimated to be about 1 foot tall, reset the altimeter, and lifted off the ground into an approximate 3-foot hover. Shortly thereafter, he noticed smoke blowing past the right side of the helicopter. He said that as he attempted to maneuver the helicopter away from the smoke, the engine lost power, and the rotor speed decayed. He landed in the grass, which was on fire, and exited the helicopter, which sustained substantial thermal damage forward of the tailboom. A postaccident examination revealed that the engine exhaust had ignited the grass. According to the operator, the accident location was not an approved landing site. According to the helicopter's flight manual, a fire can result from landing in tall, dry grass due to the exhaust heat. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to a written statement by the pilot, he flew to a clearing, landed, and reset the altimeter to zero. He estimated the grass to be about one-foot in height. He lifted off the ground, put the helicopter into an approximate three-foot hover, and shortly thereafter, noticed smoke. He considered that there was a possibility of the grass beginning to catch on fire and attempted to maneuver the aircraft to the forward and left. At which time the carburetor equipped engine lost power and the rotor speed decayed. He landed in the grass, which was on fire, and exited the helicopter, which sustained substantial thermal damage forward of the tailboom. According to the operator, the accident location was outside of their approved landing sites. The operator estimated that the grass was about three foot in height and that the location of the engine exhaust was directed toward the grass. The Schweizer Aircraft Pilot's Flight Manual has a caution that a fire can result from a landing in tall dry grass due to the exhaust heat. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2093U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2093U-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 0344, built 2008 (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-G1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-g1a) (registry code 41898, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0344
- Airframe hours: 2788
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-G1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bristow Academy Inc
- Registered owner: Bristow Academy Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 24, 2011
- Departed: TIX, Titusville, FL
- Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: TIX, Space Coast Regional Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 98 total, 98 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observed at: TIX, 12 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 20110827020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110827020299A), Aug 27, 2011: Schweizer 269C-1, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing solo flight training operations in preparation for his commercial pilot rotorcraft-helicopter rating. Such practice was being conducted…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81608. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 559 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Written Statement to the FAA (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Written%20Statement%20to%20the%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Operators Accident Report [Excerpt] (item 3, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operators%20Accident%20Report%20%5BExcerpt%5D-Master.PDF
- Pilots Flight Manual [Excerpt] (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilots%20Flight%20Manual%20%5BExcerpt%5D-Master.PDF
- Titusville Weather (item 5, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Titusville%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Helicopter at Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Helicopter%20at%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%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.

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