# NTSB ERA12LA362: Schweizer 269C, N7505Y, Asheville, NC, May 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 2012, 15:03 local (19:03 UTC) - Place: Asheville, NC - Coordinates: 35.436111, -82.541946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4361&lon=-82.5419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83744 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA362 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83744/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83744 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA362 ## Probable cause The use of an aftermarket skid shoe, which resulted in the skid shoe becoming caught on a runway centerline light during the run-on landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: aux gear (tail/rotorcrft skid)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023270): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023270/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023270/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was demonstrating a run-on landing during a flight review. The pilot conducted the approach for landing about 40 knots, and touched down left of the runway centerline on both skids. As he lowered the collective, the helicopter's right center skid shoe contacted a runway centerline light, which sheared off the right skid and its support arms. The pilot raised the collective, raised the helicopter to a hover, and turned toward the taxiway. Shortly after, the engine and rotor rpm began to drop, and the pilot opened the throttle and lowered the collective, setting the helicopter onto the left skid. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades. According to a representative from the helicopter’s type certificate holder, the skid shoes installed on the make and model of the accident helicopter at the time of manufacture were comprised of a single piece of steel that conformed tightly to the skid. The skid shoes observed on the accident helicopter were constructed from a flat metal plate attached to the skid by two brackets, resulting in a small gap between the skid shoe and the skid, which would have allowed the skid shoe to become caught on raised objects on the ground. Review of both the helicopter’s maintenance logbook and FAA airworthiness records did not reveal any entries relating to replacement of the skid shoes. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 2012, at 1503 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C, N7505Y, sustained substantial damage during a practice run-on landing at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), Asheville, North Carolina. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot receiving instruction, who was also the owner of the helicopter, the purpose of the flight was to conduct a flight review. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the CFI asked the pilot to demonstrate a run-on landing to runway 16. The pilot conducted the approach for landing at about 40 knots and touched down left of the runway centerline on both skids. As he lowered the collective, the helicopter's right center skid shoe contacted a runway centerline light, shearing off the right skid and its support arms. The pilot raised the collective, picked the helicopter up to a hover, and turned towards the taxiway in order to land. Shortly after, the engine and rotor RPM began to drop, and the pilot opened the throttle and lowered the collective, setting the helicopter onto the left skid. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades. A postaccident examination by the pilot revealed that, during the right skid's impact with the centerline light, the front landing gear crossbeam was pushed aft, crimping the fuel supply line. The owner held a private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating. He reported 290 hours of total flight time, of which 118 hours were in the accident helicopter make and model. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued on May 23, 2012. According to FAA records, the helicopter was manufactured in 1988 and was equipped with a Lycoming HIO-360, 190-horsepower reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was conducted on June 30, 2012. At the time of the accident, the helicopter had accumulated 1,716 total flight hours. According to a representative from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, all skid shoes installed on the Schweizer 269 helicopters during production were comprised of a single piece of steel which conformed tightly to the skid. Examination of photographs revealed that the skid shoes installed on the accident helicopter were constructed from a flat metal plate attached to the skid by two brackets, resulting in a small gap between the skid shoe and the skid. The Sikorsky representative said that the skid shoes observed were not representative of those installed or sold as replacements by the manufacturer. Review of both the helicopter’s maintenance logbook and FAA airworthiness records did not reveal any entries relating to replacement of the skid shoes.Postaccident examination of the runway centerline lights by an FAA inspector did not reveal any anomalies with the placement or orientation of the lights. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7505Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7505Y-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N S1300, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1300 - Airframe hours: 1716 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wolf Tree Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Wolf Tree Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 2011 - Departed: AVL, Asheville, NC - Destination: AVL, Asheville, NC - Airport: AVL, Asheville Regional Airport, runway 16, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 290 total, 118 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: AVL ## 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 20120524010079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120524010079A), May 24, 2012: Schweizer 269C, Asheville, NC, Substantial damage. On may 24, 2012, N7505Y, a Schweizer 269C, helicopter operated by the owner and private pilot with a CFI on board was performing a "run on" landing at the… ## Other investigations on N7505Y (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA89LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA052), Mar 3, 1989: Schweizer 269C (N7505Y), Forrest Grove, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLING-LOAD A TRAILER. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83744. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Helicopter as it came to rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Helicopter%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Skid Shoe (Courtesy of pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Skid%20Shoe%20(Courtesy%20of%20pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Exemplar Skid Shoe 1 (Courtesy of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.) (item 5, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Exemplar%20Skid%20Shoe%201%20(Courtesy%20of%20Sikorsky%20Aircraft%20Corp.)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Exemplar Skid Shoe 2 (Courtesy of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp) (item 6, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Exemplar%20Skid%20Shoe%202%20(Courtesy%20of%20Sikorsky%20Aircraft%20Corp)-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.