# NTSB MIA89LA018: Schweizer 269C, N75068, Arcadia, FL, October 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1988, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Arcadia, FL
- Location: 27.1953° N, 81.8382° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ARCADIA MUNI (X06), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1953&lon=-81.8382&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING AN APCH TO 'THE NUMBERS' ON RWY 5, THE PLT DECELERATED THE HELICOPTER & BEGAN TO AIR TAXI TO THE REFUELING AREA. SUBSQUENTLY, WHILE DECELERATING AND/OR WHILE TAXIING, THE TAIL ROTOR COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75068](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75068), registered now, S/N S1323, built 1988 (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: S1323
- Airframe hours: 352
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Mid-State Exec. Helicopters
- Registered owner: Mid-State Exe. Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1988, 71 hours before
- Departed: EMY, FORT MYERS, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: X06, Arcadia Muni, runway 5, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,871 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,805 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 36 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 19881028048699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881028048699A), Oct 28, 1988: Hughes 269C, Arcadia, FL, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck the ground while taxiing to park after a landing approach.

## Other investigations on N75068 (3)

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 CHI08CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA020), Dec 5, 2007: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Hazelton, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed during the intentional autorotation, and his subsequent inability to reduce the descent rate prior to impact. A contributing factor was the…
- [NTSB CHI98LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA332), Sep 4, 1998: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Decker, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance resulting in a collision with a fence.
- [NTSB ATL90LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA043), Dec 22, 1989: Schweizer 269C (N75068), Norcross, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER EXECUTION OF THE LANDING PROCEDURE RESULTING IN DYNAMIC ROLL-OVER OF THE HELICOPTER.

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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