# NTSB NYC92LA165: Schweizer 269C, N63SS, London, OH, August 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1992, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: London, OH
- Coordinates: 39.880664, -83.43988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8807&lon=-83.4399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37208/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA165

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY JUDGE HIS ALTITUDE DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, WHICH RESULTED IN A TAIL ROTOR GROUND STRIKE AND ROLL OVER UPON TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS WHEN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FLARED A LITTLE TOO LOW.  THE HELICOPTER THEN ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED TURN, STRUCK THE GROUND, AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63SS-2002-07-29), registration cancelled 2002-07-29, S/N S1519 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1519
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve A. Skilken
- Registered owner: Steve A. Skilken
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH
- Destination: COLUMBUS, OH
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,470 total, 339 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 27 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 19920815031439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920815031439A), Aug 15, 1992: Hughes 269C, London, OH, Substantial damage. Too much speed on recover from practice autorotation. Flared too much. Tail skid and rotor hit. Helicopter rolled.

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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