# NTSB ERA15CA127: Schweizer 269C 1, N20059, Carthage, NY, February 1, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 1, 2015, 15:16 local (20:16 UTC)
- Place: Carthage, NY
- Coordinates: 43.990001, -75.629447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9900&lon=-75.6294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90710/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90710
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA127

## Probable cause

The non-helicopter-rated pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter at low-level and his inability to adequately see the horizon over snow and ice, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: whiteout](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035060/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035060/cases.md)
- [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-helicopter-rated pilot reported that while performing a bank, at low level, above a frozen river, he lost sight of the horizon and the helicopter impacted the frozen river. The helicopter came to rest on its left side, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor, tailboom, and cockpit structure. The non-helicopter-rated pilot further reported to a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration and Sheriff's Deputies that the helicopter was functioning "normally" at the time of impact and that "somehow I must have lost sight of the horizon in all the snow and ice." No preimpact malfunctions or abnormalities were noted with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The non helicopter-rated pilot reported that while performing a bank, at low level, above a frozen river, he lost sight of the horizon and the helicopter impacted the frozen river. The helicopter came to rest on its left side, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor, tailboom, and cockpit structure. The non helicopter-rated pilot further reported to a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration and Sheriff's Deputies that the helicopter was functioning "normally" at the time of impact and that "somehow I must have lost sight of the horizon in all the snow and ice." No preimpact malfunctions or abnormalities were noted with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20059](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20059-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 0053, built 1997 (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: 0053
- Year built: 1997
- Airframe hours: 2797
- Engines: Lycoming HO-360-C1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 2014, 192 hours before
- Departed: Unknown, NY
- Destination: Unknown, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -11 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: GTB, 6 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 20150201001569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150201001569A), Feb 1, 2015: Schweizer 269C-1, Carthage, NY, Substantial damage. While performing a low pass over the black river in the town of Carthage NY. The aircraft skid came in contact with the ice covered river surface causing the…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90710. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record – Telephone Interview with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record FAA Inspector’s Statement [Excerpts] (item 3, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement%20%5BExcerpts%5D-Master.PDF
- Sheriff Report (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sheriff%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record – Ft. Drum Weather (item 5, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Ft.%20Drum%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Left Side of Helicopter as Viewed Post Recovery (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Side%20of%20Helicopter%20as%20Viewed%20Post%20Recovery%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of Cockpit Area of Helicopter Post Recovery (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 660 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429388&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Cockpit%20Area%20of%20Helicopter%20Post%20Recovery%20(Courtesy%20of%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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