# NTSB FTW96LA174: Schweizer 269C, N430CK, Silver, TX, April 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1996, 10:46 local (15:46 UTC)
- Place: Silver, TX
- Coordinates: 32.709899, -100.910522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7099&lon=-100.9105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA174

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor RPM.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to flush coyotes out of some thick brush by hovering the helicopter above the brush.  The helicopter was hovering into a wind coming from the west at about 12 to 15 knots.  The pilot stated that 'the wind calmed and I lost lift, my RPM's quickly lowered out of the green, increasing throttle wouldn't increase RPM's, and I was too close to the top of the brush to lower collective to gain RPM.'  The helicopter settled into the brush and came to rest on its right side.

## Factual narrative

On April 18, 1996, at 1046 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N430CK, registered to and operated by Courtney King Ranch of Silver, Texas, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Silver, Texas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight for which a flight plan was not filed.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The flight originated at the Courtney King Ranch about 10 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot was attempting to flush coyotes out of some thick brush by hovering the helicopter above the brush.  The helicopter was hovering into a wind coming from the west at about 12 to 15 knots.  The pilot stated that "the wind calmed and I lost lift, my RPM's quickly lowered out of the green, increasing throttle wouldn't increase RPM's, and I was too close to the top of the brush to lower collective to gain RPM."  The tail rotor impacted the brush, then the right skid and the main rotor blades also hit the brush.  The helicopter came to rest on its right side.  The skids were bent, the tail boom was damaged, the rotor blades were destroyed, and the passenger side of the bubble was broken.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N430CK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N430CK-2002-03-19), registration cancelled 2002-03-19, S/N S1642, built 1993 (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: 1642
- Airframe hours: 336
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Courtney King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 21, 1995, 75 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 521 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19960418007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960418007849A), Apr 18, 1996: Hughes 269C, Silver, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft was hovering lowin winds, roter RPM dropped too low to recover, crashed into brush and trees. (-23) helo on ranch surveillance searching for coyote…

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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