# NTSB NYC07CA070: Schweizer 269-C, N515JM, Columbus, PA, March 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 3, 2007, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Columbus, PA - Coordinates: 41.953334, -79.529998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9533&lon=-79.5300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing attempt in whiteout conditions, which resulted in his disorientation, and the helicopter's subsequent dynamic rollover. Factors included the whiteout conditions, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, landing - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered - flight into adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing - dynamic rollover, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot of the Schweizer 269-C reported that he diverted to an airport because of snow showers along his path of flight. After having lunch, the pilot decided to return to his home base instead of continuing to his originally-intended destination. Weather radar indicated snow showers and clear areas en route to the pilot's home base. After about 30 minutes of flight, snowfall intensity increased, and visibility was reduced to the point where the pilot became concerned that he could not see obstructions. The pilot then decided to land near a farm house. He circled the landing area, and then made an approach into the wind. As he "approached the hover, loose snow combined with the snow covered total white surface" caused him to lose ground contact. The helicopter touched down, and the pilot "suddenly" felt the main rotor blades impact the ground on the right side of the helicopter. Photographs of the landing area indicated a slight rise in elevation on the right side of the touchdown zone. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies, and the aft portion of the right landing skid had frozen dirt attached to it. The pilot did not indicate he had obtained a weather briefing. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Schweizer 269-C, he diverted to an airport because of snow showers along his path of flight. After having lunch, the pilot decided to return to his home base instead of continuing to his originally-intended destination. Weather radar indicated snow showers and clear areas en route to the pilot's home base. After about 30 minutes of flight, snowfall intensity increased, and visibility was reduced to the point where the pilot became concerned that he could not see obstructions. The pilot then decided to land near a farm house. He circled the landing area, and then made an approach into the wind. As he "approached the hover, loose snow combined with the snow covered total white surface" caused him to lose ground contact. The helicopter touched down, and the pilot "suddenly" felt the main rotor blades impact the ground on the right side of the helicopter. Photographs of the landing area indicated a slight rise in elevation on the right side of the touchdown zone. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies, and the aft portion of the right landing skid had frozen dirt attached to it. The pilot did not indicate he had obtained a weather briefing. ## Aircraft - Registration: N515JM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269-C - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S1771 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William D. Fritz - Registered owner: Fritz Enterprise, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: JHW, Jamestown, NY - Destination: 6G1, Titusville, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,700 total, 350 in this make and model ## 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 20070303003439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070303003439A), Mar 3, 2007: Hughes 269C, Columbus, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 3, 2007, a Schweizer-269-C, U.S. Registration N515JM, made a precautionary landing in a field due to weather conditions (snow and visibility).… 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.