# NTSB MIA06CA053: Schweizer 269C-1, N61431, Titusville, FL, February 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 15, 2006, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Titusville, FL - Coordinates: 28.514722, -80.799163 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5147&lon=-80.7992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63262/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA053 ## Probable cause The improper landing flare by the pilot-rated student and the inadequate supervision of the pilot-rated student by the certified flight instructor, resulting in the improper touchdown of the helicopter and the helicopter rolling over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that during a fourth practice 180-degree autorotation with a planned touchdown, the pilot-rated student "over rotated" while leveling the helicopter during the flare. The left skid impacted the ground and dug into the surface. The pilot-rated student stated that the maneuver was entered just south of the numbers of runway 36 for termination between runway 36 and taxiway "Alpha" into the wind. He called "throttle de-tent" which indicated the maneuver would terminate with touchdown. He initiated a normal flare and "...Upon leveling the aircraft it assumed a slight nose-low attitude causing the aircraft to bounce slightly and yaw to the left." The helicopter contacted the ground again while in a right sideward momentum causing the skid to dig into grass and the helicopter to roll over. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2006, about 1550 eastern standard time, a Schweizer 269C-1, N61431, registered to and operated by Helicopter Adventures, Inc., experienced a hard landing during a practice autorotative landing to touchdown at Space Coast Regional Airport, Titusville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91, local, instructional flight, from Space Coast Regional Airport. The helicopter was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the certified flight instructor (CFI) or pilot-rated student. The flight originated about 1540. The CFI stated that during a fourth practice 180-degree autorotation with a planned touchdown, the pilot-rated student "over rotated" while leveling the helicopter during the flare. The left skid impacted the ground and dug into the surface. The pilot-rated student stated the maneuver was entered just south of the numbers of runway 36 for termination between runway 36 and taxiway "Alpha" into the wind. He called "throttle de-tent" which indicated the maneuver would terminate with touchdown. He initiated a normal flare and "...Upon leveling the aircraft it assumed a slight nose-low attitude causing the aircraft to bounce slightly and yaw to the left." The helicopter contacted the ground again while in a right sideward momentum causing the skid to dig into grass and the helicopter to roll over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61431](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61431-2007-04-04), registration cancelled 2007-04-04, S/N 0064, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C-1 - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (registry code 8059504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0064 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360-C1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Helicopter Adventures, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KTIX, Titusville, FL - Destination: KTIX, Titusville, FL - Airport: KTIX, Space Coast Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 800 total, 783 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 28; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 172 total, 100 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20060215003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060215003679A), Feb 15, 2006: Hughes 269C1, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During an instructional flight student pilot allowed the aircraft to develop a high sink rate and over controlled when leveling the skids for touchdown.… 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.