# NTSB LAX90LA246: Schweizer 300C, N917JS, San Jose, CA, July 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1990, 19:00 local (Jul 7, 1990, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.34003, -121.900917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3400&lon=-121.9009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA246

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DUE TO A SLIGHTLY HIGH OIL TEMPERATURE. AFTER FIVE MINUTES ON THE GROUND HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF IN A CROSS WIND FROM THE DRY LAKE BED WHEN HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED SOFT GROUND AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N917JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N917JS-1991-11-14), registration cancelled 1991-11-14, S/N S1355 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 300C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1355
- Airframe hours: 274
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Meftech, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 2, 1989, 62 hours before
- Destination: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 270 total, 15 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900707024999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900707024999A), Jul 7, 1990: Hughes 269C, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Lifted to a hover in strong crosswind. Dug a skid in soft ground drifting sideways and rolled over.

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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