# NTSB GAA16CA045: Schweizer 269C 1, N21496, Mount Pocono, PA, November 4, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 4, 2015, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Mount Pocono, PA - Coordinates: 41.13972, -75.376663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1397&lon=-75.3767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Allentown FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92313/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92313 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA045 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to remove the tension applied to the cyclic before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control and the tail rotor striking the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student helicopter pilot reported that during flight in the traffic pattern, her noise canceling headset malfunctioned, and she landed on the grass adjacent to the runway to troubleshoot the issue. After landing, she "locked the collective down" and "put some tension on the cyclic." Subsequently, the headset began to function, so she removed the friction on the the collective and applied power for hover flight, forgetting there was still tension applied to the cyclic. When power was applied, the student pilot reported that she did not have enough cyclic control and the helicopter hovered backwards and the tail rotor struck the ground. The tail rotor drive shaft was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student helicopter pilot reported that during flight in the traffic pattern, her noise canceling headset malfunctioned, and she landed on the grass adjacent to the runway to troubleshoot the issue. After landing, she "locked the collective down" and "put some tension on the cyclic." Subsequently, the headset began to function, so she removed the friction on the the collective and applied power for hover flight, forgetting there was still tension applied to the cyclic. When power was applied, the student pilot reported that she did not have enough cyclic control and the helicopter hovered backwards and the tail rotor struck the ground. The tail rotor drive shaft was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21496](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21496), registered now, S/N 0358, built 2009 (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 HIO-360-G1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-g1a) (registry code 41898, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0358 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 1392.4 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-G1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hi Tech Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Hi Tech Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 21, 2015 - Departed: MPO, MOUNT POCONO, PA - Destination: MPO, Mount Pocono, PA - Airport: MPO, Pocono Mountains Muni - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 49; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KMPO ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92313. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Docket Photos (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photos-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. --- 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.