# NTSB GAA18CA539: Schweizer 269C, N139JS, Delaware, OH, September 3, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2018, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Delaware, OH
- Coordinates: 40.27861, -83.103889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2786&lon=-83.1039&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA539
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98257/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98257
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA539

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 9,308 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.

- [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,558 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while practicing "quick stops and steep approaches," he flared the helicopter too hard and too low, and the tail skid struck the runway, which resulted in a hard landing. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while practicing "quick stops and steep approaches", he flared the helicopter too hard and too low and the tail skid struck the runway, resulting in a hard landing. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N139JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N139JS-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N S1704, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C (Undesignat)
- 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: S1704
- Year built: 1995
- Airframe hours: 4921.3
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blade Runners Chopper Llc
- Registered owner: Blade Runners Chopper Llc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2018
- Departed: DLZ, DELAWARE, OH
- Destination: DLZ, DELAWARE, OH
- Airport: DLZ, Delaware Muni - Jim Moore Fiel, runway 28, 5,800 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,000 total, 92.6 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KDLZ, 1 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98257. 9.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.

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