# NTSB LAX06LA123: Schweizer 269C-1, N61466, Valencia, CA, February 25, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 2006, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Valencia, CA - Coordinates: 34.424999, -118.629997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4250&lon=-118.6300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63276 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63276/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=63276 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA123 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from objects. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, unknown - object - wire,transmission - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing primary flight training to his pre-solo student. After departing from the Van Nuys Airport, the CFI proceeded to the Santa Clara River practice area. The helicopter impacted power lines during an undetermined phase of flight over the dry river bed. The power lines had been suspended from poles located north and south of the river bed. Following impact, the helicopter descended about 40 feet until impacting the ground on its right side. The student, who was located in the right seat, was fatally injured. The subsequent examination of the helicopter's airframe and engine assembly did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. Wire mark striations were noted on a main rotor blade. Following the accident the operator (flight school) issued instructions to its employees regarding the location where off airport flight training was authorized. The accident site area was excluded from the authorized training area. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 2006, between 1330 and 1400, a Schweizer 269C-1, N61466, impacted power lines and crashed into a dry wash area of the Santa Clara River about 40 feet below the lines. The accident occurred about 2 miles south-southwest of Valencia, California. The helicopter was operated by Group 3 Aviation, Inc., Van Nuys, California, and it was destroyed. The certified flight instructor (CFI) held a commercial pilot certificate, and he was seriously injured. The student pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The maneuver (phase of flight) performed at the time of impact was not determined. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Van Nuys about 1230. Representatives from the Southern California Edison Company reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that its unmarked power lines were impacted and severed by the accident helicopter. The lines had been supported from poles located to the north and south of the Santa Clara River. The Federal Aviation Administration coordinator reported that the helicopter crashed onto the near level ground an estimated 200 feet from the lines. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. The student pilot was located in the right seat. The right side Plexiglas canopy (bubble) was shattered. The tail boom was intact. All of the helicopter's principal components were located in the vicinity of the main wreckage. Evidence of wire strike striations was apparent on a main rotor blade. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction was noted with the airframe. A representative from Lycoming Engine similarly reported that no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction was noted with the engine assembly. During the accident flight the CFI was providing primary flight instruction to the student, and the student had about 6 hours of total flying experience. The student had not soloed. According to the CFI's employer (operator), the CFI had acquired part time employment as an instructor in December 2005. The accident student was the first student for which the CFI had been assigned to provide flight instruction. No witnesses reported observing the accident. The accident pilot provided a written statement to the Safety Board investigator in which he stated having no memory of the accident flight. In March 2006, the CFI's employer issued specific instructions to its employees regarding the location where off airport flight training was to be accomplished. The accident site area was excluded from the authorized training area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61466](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61466-2006-08-03), registration cancelled 2006-08-03, S/N 0067, built 1997 (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: 0067 - Airframe hours: 4075 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360-C1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Group 3 Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Dragonfly Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2005, 75 hours before - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 143 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: fatal; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 28,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 14 nm away ## 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 20060225003139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060225003139A), Feb 25, 2006: Hughes 269C1, Saugus, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) The helicopter was heading in a westerly direction in pico canyon wash when it struck three high voltage power wires that transverse the wash north to… ## Docket (15 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=63276. 20.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photos - Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 4 photos, 494 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20-%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Lycoming Engine Report (item 3, .PDF, 999 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Lycoming%20Engine%20Report-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Accident Site, Northeast View. Arrow Identifies Approximate Crash Site Location. (item 5, .PDF, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Accident%20Site,%20Northeast%20View.%20Arrow%20Identifies%20Approximate%20Crash%20Site%20Location.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Accident Site, West View. (item 6, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Accident%20Site,%20West%20View.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Accident Site Area, Southeast View. (item 7, .PDF, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Accident%20Site%20Area,%20Southeast%20View.-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Accident Site Area in Santa Clara River & Powerline Poles. (item 8, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Accident%20Site%20Area%20in%20Santa%20Clara%20River%20%26%20Powerline%20Poles.-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Accident Site, Overall View. (item 9, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Accident%20Site,%20Overall%20View.-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Helicopter & Surrounding Terrain (Poles). (item 10, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Helicopter%20%26%20Surrounding%20Terrain%20(Poles).-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Accident Site, Overall View & Santa Clara River. (item 11, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20Accident%20Site,%20Overall%20View%20%26%20Santa%20Clara%20River.-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Helicopter, Aft View & Main Rotor Blade with Wire-Like Striations. (item 12, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20Helicopter,%20Aft%20View%20%26%20Main%20Rotor%20Blade%20with%20Wire-Like%20Striations.-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Helicopter, Bottom View. (item 13, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20Helicopter,%20Bottom%20View.-Master.PDF - Photo 10. Helicopter, Top View. (item 14, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010.%20Helicopter,%20Top%20View.-Master.PDF - Photo 11. Tail Rotor Assembly. (item 15, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011.%20Tail%20Rotor%20Assembly.-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. 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