# NTSB LAX93LA285: Schweizer 269C, N9588F, Rialto, CA, July 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1993, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100708, -117.380805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1007&lon=-117.3808&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 15, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA285

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER FLARE DURING THE AUTOROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN A TAIL BOOM STRIKE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, THE STUDENT WAS PRACTICING AUTO ROTATIONS TO A POWER RECOVERY. ON THE LAST PRACTICE AUTO ROTATION, THE ENGINE QUIT WHEN THE STUDENT ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND EXECUTED A COMPLETE AUTO ROTATION TO TOUCH DOWN. DURING THE LANDING FLARE THE TAIL BOOM CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE HELICOPTER WAS EXAMINED AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 1993, at 1520 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N9588F, sustained a tail boom separation during a hard landing while practicing auto rotations at Rialto, California.  The aircraft was operated by CARI Aviation, Inc., of Rialto, California, and was engaged in a dual student instructional flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The helicopter incurred substantial damage. Neither the certificated commercial pilot flight instructor nor the dual student were injured.  The flight originated at the Rialto airport at about 1500 hours on the day of the mishap as a local area dual instructional flight.

According to the flight instructor's verbal statement, the student was practicing auto rotations to a power recovery.  On the last practice auto rotation, the engine quit when the student rolled the throttle to idle.  The instructor took over control of the helicopter and executed a complete auto rotation to touch down.  During the landing flare, the tail boom contacted the ground and the helicopter landed hard.

The helicopter was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office.  He reported that no discrepancies were found with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9588F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1050442
- Airframe hours: 4857
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cari Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: K R Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 27, 1993, 60 hours before
- Departed: L67
- Destination: L67
- Airport: L67, Rialto Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 620 total, 450 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °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 19930708023069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930708023069A), Jul 8, 1993: Hughes 269C, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on practice autorotation. During flare tailboom hit ground. Hard landing chopped boom. Idle set factor.

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.