# NTSB LAX08CA178: Schweizer 269C, N54LC, Cedar Valley, UT, June 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2008, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Cedar Valley, UT - Coordinates: 40.242778, -112.093055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2428&lon=-112.0931&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68222/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68222 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the helicopter's performance at an air show. He traveled from overseas by scheduled airline, arriving 2 days before the air show. The day before the air show he flew the helicopter for 50 minutes of demonstration practice at a similar density altitude to that anticipated for the following day's performance. The accident flight began about 1315, and the first two maneuvers were completed without incident. The third maneuver was "a standard 180-degree 'wing-over' commenced from a standard 300 feet." According to the pilot, the helicopter "failed to fully recover from the descent phase of the maneuver and struck the surface at approximately 40-50 knots." The helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported that the density altitude at the time of the accident was 8,500 feet. He stated that the accident could have been prevented "possibly by greater awareness and practice at the local density altitude conditions." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the helicopter's performance at an air show. He traveled from overseas by scheduled airline, arriving 2 days before the air show. The day before the air show he flew the helicopter for 50 minutes of demonstration practice at a similar density altitude to that anticipated for the following day's performance. The accident flight began about 1315, and the first two maneuvers were completed without incident. The third maneuver was "a standard 180-degree 'wing-over' commenced from a standard 300 feet." According to the pilot, the helicopter "failed to fully recover from the descent phase of the maneuver and struck the surface at approximately 40-50 knots." The helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported that the density altitude at the time of the accident was 8,500 feet. He stated that the accident could have been prevented "possibly by greater awareness and practice at the local density altitude conditions." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54LC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54LC-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N S1581, built 1991 (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: S1581 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Operator: AMW Aerospace LLC, doing business as Whirlybird Helicopters - Registered owner: L J Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UT99, Cedar Valley, UT - Destination: UT99 - Airport: UT99, West Desert Airpark, runway 17, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 13,750 total, 4,300 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: PVU, 17 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 20080613834339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080613834339A), Jun 13, 2008: Hughes 269C, Cedar Valley, UT, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with the ground; high temperature and the high airport elevation along with the airman's lack of experience in… ## Other investigations on N54LC (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI06TA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06TA148), Jun 6, 2006: Schweizer 269C (N54LC), Schererville, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper autorotation following an actual loss of engine power during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor associated with the accident was the loss of… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68222. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40296970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.