# NTSB LAX92LA303: Schweizer 269C, N280CA, Simi Valley, CA, July 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1992, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Simi Valley, CA
- Location: 34.2694° N, 118.7815° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Simi Valley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2694&lon=-118.7815&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA303

## Probable cause

THE COMPANY'S MAINTENACE PERSONNEL IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE AIRCRAFT'S IDLE RPM AND THE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED.  THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION IS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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, approach
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND DUAL STUDENT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS THAT WERE TERMINATED WITH POWER RECOVERIES AT A 3-FOOT HOVER.  DURING THE SIXTH AUTOROTATIVE APPROACH THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE HARD LANDING SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED THE HELICOPTER.  AN ENGINE OPERATIONAL TEST AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE AT IDLE RPM.  THE CFI HAD LOGGED 154 TOTAL HELICOPTER FLIGHT HOURS OF WHICH 9 HOURS WERE IN THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER MAKE AND MODEL.  HE HAD ALSO GIVEN 20 HOURS OF HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N280CA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1497
- Airframe hours: 1210
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Shore Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: California Airmotive Gp Leasin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1992, 18 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: VNY
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 695 total, 9 in this make and model, 512 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: VNY, 11 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 19920718025919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920718025919A), Jul 18, 1992: Hughes 269C, Simi Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed respond for power recovery from practice autorotation. Loose throttle linkage. Idle set too low.

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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