# NTSB GAA17CA178: Schweizer 269C, N614TA, Ormond beach, FL, February 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 21, 2017, 12:37 local (17:37 UTC) - Place: Ormond beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.301944, -81.113891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3019&lon=-81.1139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94837/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94837 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA178 ## Probable cause The separation of the throttle cable’s outer housing from the inner housing at the throttle linkage while at a high-power setting, which prevented the pilot from being able to control the throttle and execute a proper landing flare and resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 flight instructor of the helicopter reported that, about halfway through the flight, he "discovered that the throttle control was inoperative" and stuck in the high rpm setting. He turned the helicopter back to the departure airport and briefed his student on the situation. Upon being cleared to land, he executed a "running landing" and performed a go-around on the first try. On the second try, the skids made hard contact with the runway, and the helicopter came to a stop. A postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that the throttle cable outer housing separated from the inner solid housing at the throttle linkage and that the internal wire could flex outside of the housing. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor of the helicopter reported that about halfway through the flight he "discovered that the throttle control was inoperative" and stuck in the high RPM setting. He turned the helicopter back to the departure airport and briefed his student on the situation. Upon being cleared to land, he executed a "running landing" and performed a go around on the first try. On the second try, the skids made hard contact with the runway and the helicopter came to a stop. A post-accident examination revealed the helicopter had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that the throttle cable outer housing separated from the inner solid housing at the throttle linkage, and that the internal wire could now flex outside of the housing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N614TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N614TA-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 0080 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0080 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 5655.1 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 2017 - Departed: OMN, Ormond beach, FL - Destination: OMN, Ormond beach, FL - Airport: OMN, Ormond Beach Muni, runway 8, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,175 total, 630 in this make and model, 1,070 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 118 total, 118 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KOMN ## 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 20170221001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170221001479A), Feb 21, 2017: Schweizer 269C-1, Ormond Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Rotorcraft departed Ormond Beach municipal airport around 12 noon for a training flight cross country to sanford international airport. About half way down… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94837. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 892 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.