# NTSB SEA08CA144: Schweizer 269C-1, N2024Z, Reno, NV, May 29, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2008, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.756668, -119.783058
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7567&lon=-119.7831&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA144

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain translational lift airspeed while approaching the pinnacle and the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C-1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The purpose of the instructional flight was to practice pinnacle approaches. Approaching a ridgeline to be used for the pinnacle approach, the flight instructor observed the airspeed drop below 41 knots (translational lift), resulting in a loss of altitude and the inability to clear the ridgeline. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, initiated a left turn to avoid the ridgeline, and lowered collective in an attempt to gain airspeed. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain in a level attitude after failing to gain sufficient altitude to clear a ravine, sliding about 30 to 40 feet after impact. The instructor said there were no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine during the flight.

## Factual narrative

The purpose of the instructional flight was to practice pinnacle approaches. Approaching a ridgeline to be used for the pinnacle approach, the flight instructor observed the airspeed drop below 41 knots (translational lift), resulting in a loss of altitude and the inability to clear the ridgeline. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, initiated a left turn to avoid the ridgeline, and lowered collective in an attempt to gain airspeed. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain in a level attitude after failing to gain sufficient altitude to clear a ravine, sliding about 30 to 40 feet after impact. The instructor said there were no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2024Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2024Z-2013-08-26), registration cancelled 2013-08-26, S/N 0098, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C-1
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (registry code 8059504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0098
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bristow Academy
- Registered owner: Bristow Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 45D, Reno, NV
- Destination: 45D

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 560 total, 510 in this make and model, 135 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 23; private; medical: class 1; flight hours: 112 total, 70 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 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 20080529837989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080529837989A), May 29, 2008: Hughes 269C1, Reno, NV, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot in command was conducting mountain helicopter flying with a student. While climbing up a slope at approximately 5200 feet MSL, he allowed the…

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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