# NTSB FTW01LA182: Schweizer 269C-1, N1234X, San Antonio, TX, August 11, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 2001, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: San Antonio, TX - Coordinates: 29.336944, -98.471107 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3369&lon=-98.4711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA182 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis About 45 minutes into the flight, the CFI demonstrated a power recovery autorotation. He then allowed his student to perform the maneuver. The CFI informed the student that he would be near the flight controls and advise on what actions to take during the maneuver. After the entry into the autorotation, the CFI checked that the engine and rotor RPMs appeared to be normal. At approximately 10-15 feet, the CFI instructed the student to apply engine power. The engine did not respond to throttle movement so the CFI took the controls, and it appeared that the engine had "failed." The helicopter then landed "hard" and turned 180-degrees. The reason for the loss of power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 2001, approximately 1215 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C-1 helicopter, N1234X, registered to and operated by Stinson Air Center of San Antonio, Texas, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Stinson Municipal Airport, San Antonio, Texas. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and his student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated at 1130. About 45 minutes into the flight, the CFI demonstrated a power recovery autorotation. He then allowed the student to perform the maneuver. The CFI informed the student that he "would be near the flight controls" and he would advise the student on corrective actions to take during the practice autorotation. Following the the entry into the autorotation, the CFI checked that the engine and rotor RPMs appeared to be normal. At approximately 10-15 feet agl, the CFI instructed the student to apply engine power. The engine power did not respond to throttle movement so the CFI took the controls, and it appeared that the engine had "failed." The helicopter then landed "hard" and turned 180-degrees, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1234X (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C-1 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 24 - Airframe hours: 1385 - Engines: Lycoming Ho-360-C1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stinson Air Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2001, 50 hours before - Departed: SSF, San Antonio, TX - Destination: SSF, San Antonio, TX - Airport: SSF, Stinson Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 28, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 9,115 total, 177 in this make and model, 6,244 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 37; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: SSF ## 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 20010811018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010811018709A), Aug 11, 2001: Hughes 269C1, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 11, 2001, approximately 1215 central daylight time, a schweitzer 269C-1 helicopter, N1234X, registered to and operated by Stinson air center of… 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.