# NTSB NYC08CA195: Schweizer 269C, N368HF, Mt. Olive, AL, May 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2008, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Mt. Olive, AL - Coordinates: 33.676109, -86.867225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6761&lon=-86.8672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Ground resonance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/232) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68093 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68093/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA195 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action following an encounter with ground resonance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Ground resonance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/232) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/232/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/232/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were conducting a hover taxi in a Schweizer 269C helicopter, from the hangar area to a fuel pump, a distance of approximately 600 feet. The student was initially at the controls. The flight instructor took the controls from the student upon reaching the fuel pump, after the student stated he was uncomfortable landing on a raised platform in the confined area. The flight instructor landed the helicopter on the platform, where it then "entered into ground resonance." The flight instructor "rolled off the throttle immediately," but the ground resonance intensified, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were conducting a hover taxi in a Schweizer 269C helicopter, from the hangar area to a fuel pump, a distance of approximately 600 feet. The student was initially at the controls. According to the flight instructor, he took the controls from the student upon reaching the fuel pump, after the student stated he was uncomfortable landing on a raised platform in the confined area. The flight instructor landed the helicopter on the platform, where it then "entered into ground resonance." The flight instructor "rolled off the throttle immediately," but the ground resonance intensified, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N368HF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N368HF-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N S1616, built 1992 (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: S1616 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Heliflight, LLC. - Registered owner: Richard Parker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AL18, Mt. Olive, AL - Destination: AL18, Mt. Olive, AL - Airport: AL18, Parker Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; injuries: minor; medical: unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KBHM ## 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 20080527838579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080527838579A), May 27, 2008: Scwzer 269C, Gardendale, AL, Substantial damage. (-23)The pilot in command (flight instructor) stated that when he attempted to land the helicopter from a hover, the helicopter encountered what he identified… 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.