# NTSB LAX08CA138: Schweizer 300C, N1510A, Ogden, UT, June 2, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 2, 2008, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Ogden, UT - Coordinates: 41.354721, -112.006385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3547&lon=-112.0064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA138 ## Probable cause The pilot under instruction's encounter with a settling with power condition, and the flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the subsequent go-around. Also causal was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action during the approach sequence and his inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/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, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The instructor pilot and the private pilot under instruction arrived at the location where they were going to practice pinnacle approaches and landings. They reconnoitered the area at 300 feet above ground level (agl) in preparation for landing. They performed a power check at 500 feet agl, and concluded that engine power was sufficient to maintain an out of ground effect hover. The student began the approach at 350 feet agl. The helicopter's rate of descent was 500 feet per minute (fpm) at 25 knots of airspeed. Settling with power (vortex ring state) can be encountered when rates of descent are greater than 300 feet per minute and airspeed below that of translational lift. The helicopter began to overshoot the point of intended landing, and the approach became almost vertical. At 30 feet agl, the helicopter's descent rate increased and the student aborted the approach and began a go-around. The instructor realized that rotor revolutions-per-minute (rpm) had degraded below the normal range, so he took the control of the helicopter. Because the go-around had been initiated, the helicopter was moving forward slowly over a descending slope and the instructor was not able to land the helicopter. He attempted to gain power by lowering and raising collective; however, the helicopter's skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the instructor pilot reported that he and the private pilot under instruction performed a normal takeoff and departure. After a short flight they arrived at Rocky Point (9 miles north of Ogden-Hinckly Airport), where they were to practice pinnacle approaches and landings. They reconnoitered the area at 300 feet above ground level (agl) in preparation for landing. They performed a power check at 500 feet agl, and concluded that engine power was sufficient to maintain an out of ground effect (OGE) hover. The student began the approach at 350 feet agl. The approach became slightly steep and went past the point of the intended landing. The pilot under instruction reported that the rate of descent was 500 feet per minute (fpm) at 25 knots. At 30 feet agl, the helicopter's descent rate increased, the pilot under instruction aborted the approach, and began a go-around. The instructor realized that rotor revolutions-per-minute (rpm) had degraded below the normal range, so he took the controls from the student. Because the go-around had been initiated, the helicopter was moving forward slowly over a descending hill slope and the instructor was not able to land the helicopter. He attempted to gain power by lowering and raising collective; however, the helicopter's skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over. FAA-H-8083-21, Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, states that vortex ring state (settling with power) is likely when the rate of descent exceeds 300 fpm, and the horizontal velocity is slower than effective translational lift. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1510A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1510A-2009-05-19), registration cancelled 2009-05-19, S/N S1886, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 300C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-d1a) (registry code 41893, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1886 - Engines: Textron Lycoming HIO-360-D1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: High Desert Helicopters, LLC - Registered owner: High Desert Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KOGD, Ogden, UT - Destination: KOGD - Airport: KOGD, Ogden ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3; flight hours: 263 total, 263 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 30; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 135 total, 98 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KOGD, 9 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 20080602835879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080602835879A), Jun 2, 2008: Hughes 269C, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) During the conduct of a 14 CFR part 61 training flight the crew decided to perform a pinnacle/ridge approach and landing. They conducted a high area… 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.