# NTSB IAD97GA054: Schweizer 269C, N892CP, Cleveland, OH, March 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: March 19, 1997, 23:13 local (Mar 20, 1997, 04:13 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, OH - Coordinates: 41.519775, -81.680557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5198&lon=-81.6806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97GA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28141/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97GA054 ## Probable cause The engine failure from the rod cap bolt being sheared and the separation of the number two cylinder separating from the crankcase. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - sheared (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - disconnected (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The pilot stated while on patrol 'at about 500 feet above ground level, the helicopter experienced major engine failure'. The pilot attempted to autorotate the helicopter to a vacant parking lot. Upon impact, the tail rotor snapped off and the helicopter turned 180 degrees to the left. Examination of the engine found the number two cylinder had separated from the engine block and the rod cap bolt had been sheared. Maintenance records show the removal and reinstallation of the number one cylinder at 646.2 hours since overhaul which was 66.6 hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1997, at about 2313 eastern standard time, a Schweitzer 268C helicopter, N892CP, operated by the City of Cleveland as a police helicopter, crashed into a vacant parking lot while on routine patrol in Cleveland, Ohio. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR 91. The pilot and passenger both stated that they heard a loud noise and the engine quit. The pilot executed an autorotation into a parking lot causing substantial damage to the helicopter. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot stated while on patrol over the city of Cleveland "at about 500 feet above ground level, the helicopter experienced major engine failure". The pilot attempted to autorotate the helicopter to a vacant parking lot. Upon impact, the tail rotor snapped off and the helicopter turned 180 degrees to the left. Examination of the engine by NTSB, Textron Lycoming, G&W aircraft, and Cleveland Police Department found the number two cylinder had separated from the engine block and the rod cap bolt had been sheared. There were indications of wear to the number two cylinder deck and number two barrel flange. There was also heavy fretting to the number two and number three bearing crankcase saddles. Maintenance records show the removal and reinstallation of the number one cylinder at 646.2 hours since overhaul which was 66.6 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N892CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N892CP-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N S1423, built 1989 (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: 1423 - Airframe hours: 4734 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Operator: City Of Cleveland - Registered owner: City Of Cleveland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 31, 1997, 18 hours before - Departed: BKL, OH - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BKL, Burke Lakefront ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,861 total, 2,346 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BKL ## 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 19970319003379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970319003379A), Mar 19, 1997: Hughes 269C, Cleveland, OH, Substantial damage. Lost power in cruise flight. Police patrol . Autorotated into parking lot. Rod bolt failure. NR2 cyl separated. (-23) on March 19, 1997, at 2313 EST, a… 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.