# NTSB ERA25LA144: Schweizer 269C, N262LH, Mogadore, OH, March 14, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 14, 2025, 07:08 local (11:08 UTC) - Place: Mogadore, OH · River 20 ft deep - Coordinates: 41.06071, -81.375438 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0607&lon=-81.3754&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 10, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199857/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199857 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude, at night, and over water, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter was on a cross-country flight and descended as the helicopter approached a reservoir, flying low over the water, but maintaining course. Night lighting conditions existed at the time, and witnesses near the scene reported it was very dark. The helicopter was flying at an estimated height of about 20 to 50 feet above the water when it impacted the top static wire of a set of power lines that ran perpendicular to the flight path. The helicopter then impacted the water about 200 ft from the shoreline. All major components of the helicopter were located at the accident site and postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunction or failure of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Multiple wire striation marks were present on the rotor blades and blade grips. The pilot’s decision to fly at such a low altitude, over a wide body of water, and in dark conditions placed him at an increased risk of collision with unseen objects, such as wires. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2025, about 0708 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N262LH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mogadore, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed from his home airport, Medina Municipal Airport (1G5), Medina, Ohio, about 0615 and flew to Wadsworth Municipal Airport (3G3), Wadsworth, Ohio, to refuel before continuing to Portage County Airport (POV), Ravenna, Ohio, where he planned to pick up a friend. ADS-B data indicated that after takeoff from 3G3, the helicopter climbed to about 1,700 ft msl and turned left on a track of about 070° for 15 nautical miles. As the helicopter approached a reservoir, it began a right 360° descending turn, leveled off, and reestablished a northeast track before the data ended (see the figure). According to several witnesses near the accident site, one of whom was located in a fishing boat in the reservoir very close to where the helicopter impacted, the helicopter passed low over the dam, at an estimated altitude of about 20 ft above the water, then proceeded to fly northeast over the water. It was “very dark” at the time of the accident. They observed the helicopter pass overhead, then it impacted power lines that ran roughly perpendicular to the flight path and about 600 ft in length from the northwest shoreline to the southeast shoreline. The impact resulted in a large flash and the helicopter descended in a nose-down attitude into the reservoir. Figure. Final part of the flight path as the helicopter approached the reservoir. The helicopter came to rest in about 20 ft of water, about 200 ft from the northwest shore of the reservoir. The elevation at the accident site was about 1,080 ft msl. The helicopter impacted the top static wire, which was about 50 ft above the water’s surface. Marker balls were not installed on the power lines at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the helicopter wreckage showed that the helicopter cockpit area was crushed and there was severe crush damage throughout the entire airframe. Each of the three rotor blades showed signatures consistent with impact damage with the water; however, one blade contained 12 wire striation marks on the leading edge. The damage on the blade penetrated the blade skin. In addition, there were three wire striation marks on the corresponding blade grips. The tail boom remained intact with some torsional twisting damage near the tail rotor gearbox. The tail rotor blades contained marks consistent with a wire strike. There was also a 1-inch area consistent with arc flash damage. The engine was undamaged and secure on its mounts. The panel, position, and beacon light switches were in the On position. According to the United States Naval Observatory, night lighting conditions existed at the time of the accident; the beginning of civil twilight and sunrise occurred at 0710and 0737, respectively, and the full moon set at 0748. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N262LH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N262LH), registered now, S/N S1926, built 2009 (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-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-d1a) (registry code 41893, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1926 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 3545.8 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Neo Helicopter Academy LLC - Registered owner: Neo Helicopter Academy LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 2025 - Departed: 3G3, WADSWORTH MUNI, OH - Destination: POV, Ravenna, OH - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: fatal; airline transport, remote, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,356 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: AKR, 4 nm away - METAR: KAKR 141054Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 02/M02 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP141 T00221022 ## 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 20250314003949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250314003949A), Mar 14, 2025: Schweizer 269C, Mogadore, OH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On 03/14/2025 at 0704EDT a Schweizer, model 269C helicopter departed medina county airport (1G5) approximately 0617 local time enroute to wadsworth municipal… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199857. 20.3 MB in all. - Police report and witness statements (item 1, PDF, 17 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19051364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Police%20Report%20and%20Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook excerpt (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 390 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19064555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight track during last portion of flight (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19050399&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Track%20During%20Last%20Portion%20of%20Flight-Rel.pdf - ADS-B tabular flight track data (item 4, CSV, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19049848&FileExtension=csv&FileName=20250314_A2876D_581858223_ADSB-Rel.csv - ADS-B flight track overview (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 484 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19050900&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ADS-B%20Flight%20Profile%20Overview-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination report (item 6, PDF, 8 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19416147&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Report_NTSB-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - autopsy and toxicology reports review (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19400161&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Autopsy%20MOR_Pilot-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19051584&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Toxicology%20Report_N262LH_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - utility company correspondence (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19055370&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR_First%20Energy%20Repair%20and%20Marker%20Balls_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 10, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19051399&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Accident%20Site%20and%20Helicopter%20Damage-Rel.pdf - Wreckage release (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 803 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19388276&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Wreckage%20Release%20N262LH_Redacted-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.