# NTSB ERA25LA044: Schweizer 269C-1, N504JN, Boalsburg, PA, November 10, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 9, 2024, 19:03 local (Nov 10, 2024, 00:03 UTC) - Place: Boalsburg, PA · Cul De Sac - Coordinates: 40.79005, -77.773546 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7901&lon=-77.7735&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 195479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA044 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that he departed and initiated a slow climb to clear a nearby mountain. The pilot stated that, based on the temperature, dew point, and humidity, he applied carburetor heat; the helicopter’s icing gauge also indicated the need for carburetor heat. As the helicopter approached the mountain, the engine lost partial power, and the pilot maneuvered toward lower terrain to conduct a precautionary landing. The pilot identified a residential cul-de-sac as a landing site and attempted to apply power before touching down; however, the engine did not respond. The helicopter subsequently landed hard from a height of about 4 ft, and the tail boom impacted an embankment, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident engine run did not reveal evidence of any preexisting anomalies or failures that would have prevented normal engine operation. The recorded temperature and dew point near the accident site were conducive to the development of carburetor icing at cruise and glide engine power settings; however, the pilot stated that he applied carburetor heat before the loss of engine power. Based on this information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 9, 2024, at 1903 eastern standard time, a Schweizer 269 C-1 helicopter, N504JN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed and initiated a slow climb to clear a mountain. The pilot reported that, based on the temperature, dew point, and humidity, he applied carburetor heat; the helicopter's icing gauge also indicated the need for carburetor heat. The pilot slightly leaned the fuel mixture while maintaining full power for the climb. As the helicopter approached the mountain, the pilot increased the throttle and raised the collective. The pilot then heard an unfamiliar noise from the engine, followed by a noticeable loss of power. The rotor gauge did not reach the upper end of the scale, prompting the pilot to reduce collective and apply additional throttle, which resulted in an engine backfire. With insufficient power to clear the mountain, the pilot executed a right turn toward lower terrain. The engine continued to produce power, but was insufficient to sustain flight. Concerned about a potential total loss of engine power, the pilot initiated a descent toward a nearby farm field, but due to uneven terrain, the pilot chose to land on a paved road in a housing development. While maintaining a controlled descent, the pilot attempted to apply power upon reaching a cul-de-sac, but received no response from the engine. The helicopter subsequently landed hard from a height of about 4 feet, and the tail rotor impacted an embankment on the lower side of the cul-de-sac. During a postaccident engine run, the engine operated without any notable anomalies, including smoke or abnormal sounds. At 1,400 to 1,500 rpm, magneto checks were performed, and the engine continued to operate normally in the left, right, and both magneto positions. Carburetor heat activation resulted in the expected rpm change, and when the mixture was pulled to idle cut-off, the engine exhibited a normal rpm increase before shutting down. The engine run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. The recorded temperature and dew point near the accident site was about 43°F and 25°F, respectively. On a carburetor icing probability chart, those temperatures were in the “icing – glide and cruise power” range. The pilot stated that he applied carburetor heat before the loss of engine power. According to FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 (Carburetor Ice Prevention), pilots should be aware that carburetor icing does not just occur in freezing conditions: it can occur at temperatures well above freezing temperatures when there is visible moisture or high humidity. Icing can occur in the carburetor at temperatures above freezing because vaporization of fuel, combined with the expansion of air as itflows through the carburetor (Venturi effect), causes sudden cooling, sometimes by a significant amount within a fraction of a second. Carburetor ice can be detected by a drop in rpm in fixed pitch propeller airplanes and a drop in manifold pressure in constant speed propeller airplanes. In both types, usually there will be a roughness in engine operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N504JN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N504JN), registered now, S/N 0112, built 2000 (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-C1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-c1a) (registry code 42318, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0112 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 2356 - Engines: LYCOMING HO-360-C1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2025, 6 hours before - Destination: RVL, Mifflintown, PA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 307 total, 307 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KUNV, 5 nm away - METAR: METAR KUNV 091453Z 04006KT 10SM CLR 06/M04 A3040= ## 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 20241109019919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241109019919A), Nov 9, 2024: Schweizer 269C-1, Boalsburg, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed home location enroute to kunv FBO with all instruments in the green. The pilot picked up a passenger with a destination at krvl. Departure was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195479. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18318168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA044_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector engine run summary (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18337900&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20NTSB%20engine%20run%20up%20examiantion%20LA044-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18332008&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA044-Rel.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.