# NTSB NYC93LA049: Schweizer 269C, N6129Q, Elmira, NY, December 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1992, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Elmira, NY
- Location: 42.1599° N, 76.8917° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELMIRA/CORNING RGNL (ELM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1599&lon=-76.8917&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA049

## Probable cause

AN UNSTABLE TOUCHDOWN WHICH RESULTED IN A ROLLOVER, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE PIC, AND FAILURE OF THE PIC TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER IN A TIMELY MANNER.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LEFT SEAT PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - touchdown - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A NEW AIRCRAFT ACCEPTANCE FLIGHT TEST WITH TWO PILOTS ON BOARD. THE LEFT SEAT PILOT REPRESENTED THE PURCHASER AND THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS A COMPANY PILOT AND WAS DESIGNATED PILOT IN COMMAND. THEY WERE PRACTICING A TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION. DURING TOUCHDOWN, BOTH PILOTS WERE ON THE CONTROLS AND THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN A RIGHT DRIFT AND WITH THE RIGHT SKID LOWER. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. NO TRANSFER OF CONTROL PROCEDURES HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED BEFORE TAKEOFF. LEFT SEAT PILOT HAD GONE 13 MONTHS WITHOUT PERFORMING TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATIONS IN THIS TYPE OF HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6129Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6129Q-1998-11-24), registration cancelled 1998-11-24, S/N S1629 (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: S1629
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Schweizer Aircraft Corp
- Registered owner: Schweizer Aircraft Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 17, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: ELM
- Destination: ELM
- Airport: ELM, Elmira, runway 6, 2,020 × 180 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,864 total, 592 in this make and model, 4,578 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19921218053809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921218053809A), Dec 18, 1992: Hughes 269C, Elmira, NY, Substantial damage. During acceptance test flight buyer caused roll over on landing. Company pilot tried correct. Unable gain control.

## Other investigations on N6129Q (1)

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 NYC97GA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97GA148), Jul 18, 1997: Schweizer 269C (N6129Q), Baltimore, MD, destroyed. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power which was a result of incomplete and improper engine overhaul by company maintenance personnel. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable forced landing area terrain.

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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