# NTSB GAA17CA296: Schweizer 269C, N2032S, Eden Prairie, MN, May 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2017, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Eden Prairie, MN - Coordinates: 44.827499, -93.45861 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8275&lon=-93.4586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95212 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95212/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95212 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA296 ## Probable cause The student pilot's loss of lateral control while practicing autorotations from a hover and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a bounced landing and dynamic roll-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check 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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that the student pilot was practicing autorotations from a hover while pointing the helicopter into the wind over tall grass from about 1 ft above the ground. He added that the student "rolled off the throttle, the helicopter descended to the ground, appeared to bounce, moved slightly to the right and began a quick roll to the right." Subsequently, the helicopter pivoted on its right skid, the main rotor impacted terrain, and the helicopter rolled over to the right. The main rotor and windscreen sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that the student pilot was practicing auto-rotations from a hover, while pointing the helicopter into the wind over tall grass, from about 1 foot above ground. He added that the student, "rolled off the throttle, the helicopter descended to the ground, appeared to bounce, moved slightly to the right and began a quick roll to the right." Subsequently, the helicopter pivoted on it's right skid, the main rotor impacted terrain, and the helicopter rolled over to the right. The main rotor and windscreen sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2032S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2032S-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 0107, built 2000 (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: 0107 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 5773.5 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360-C1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hummingbird Ventures LLC., doing business as Hummingbird Aviation - Registered owner: Weststar Ventures LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2017 - Departed: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Destination: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 335 total, 185 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 25, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,500 total, 33 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KFCM ## 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 20170522004649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170522004649A), May 22, 2017: Schweizer 269C-1, Eden Prairie, MN, Substantial damage. While conducting a hovering autorotation on an instructional flight, the aircraft rolled onto it's right side allowing the main rotors to contact the ground… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95212. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor - Student Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20-%20Student%20Pilot%20Statements-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.