# NTSB SEA99FA168: Schweizer 269C, N383T, Westport, OR, August 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1999, 21:30 local (Aug 8, 1999, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Westport, OR - Coordinates: 46.059299, -123.269645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0593&lon=-123.2696&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99FA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47386/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA168 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors include low clouds and visibility and near-night light conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter was destroyed after it collided with trees and terrain at night. Visual meteorological conditions were reported en route, however, persons in the area near the crash site reported isolated severe thunderstorms in the vicinity. One person living about 10 miles from the site noticed a ragged low ceiling, with approximately 200 to 500 feet visibility at the time it was becoming dark. He said that he didn't pay attention to the weather after dark, except to note that there were rain showers. He mentioned that he had flown the anticipated route many times, and that the ridge where the helicopter impacted is the first high terrain coming east along that route. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 7, 1999, approximately 2130 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N383T, was destroyed after it collided with trees and terrain about six miles west of Westport, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and owner of the helicopter, was fatally injured. The flight had departed Oysterville, Washington, about 2030, with its destination reported to be Kelso, Washington. No flight plan was filed for the flight which was to be conducted under 14 CFR 91. Visual meteorological conditions were reported en route, however, persons in the area around Svensen and Knappa, Oregon, (near the crash site) reported isolated severe thunderstorms in the vicinity. No ELT was carried on board the aircraft. About 2115, the helicopter was seen about 150 feet AGL proceeding to the east, near the maritime museum in Astoria, Oregon, by an individual who knew both the pilot and the specific helicopter. That person also stated that the helicopter's navigation lights and strobe were on at the time, and that he expected the pilot to land at the museum heliport due to impending darkness. He also noted that he had flown with the pilot many times, and that the pilot often flew between Astoria and Kelso using a direct magnetic heading of 080 degrees, flying over the ridge at Bradley State Park, and over the town of Westport, Oregon. A retired Coast Guard Captain and pilot with the Astoria Search and Rescue Team, offered his observations of the weather on the night of August 7, 1999. He said that from his home in Knappa, Oregon (approximately ten miles west of the accident site), he noticed a ragged low ceiling, with approximately 200 to 500 feet visibility at the time it was becoming dark. He said that he didn't pay attention to the weather after dark, except to note that there were rain showers. He mentioned that he had flown the route between Astoria and Kelso many times, and that the Bradley ridge (At Bradley State Park) is the first high terrain coming east from Astoria. The helicopter impacted in a wooded area just west of Bradley State Park, topping two hemlock trees about 100 feet off the ground, impacting a third tree, before final ground impact. The wreckage was near a direct course (approximately 080 degrees) between Astoria and Kelso airport. The aircraft was reported missing August 8, 1999. A search was discontinued August 16. The wreckage was found by hunters September 18, 1999. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot had successfully completed a private pilot rotorcraft (helicopter) checkride on May 7, 1999. At that time, his log book reflected 55.1 hours of helicopter flight instruction. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION FAA registration reflected ownership of the helicopter as Precision Helicopters of Newberg, Oregon. A copy of an FAA aircraft Bill of Sale, listing the purchaser as Ted Natt, was provided by Precision Helicopter Services, Inc., dated June 9, 1999, and signed by the president of Precision Helicopter Services. An FAA Form 337, dated July 16, 1999, reported the owner of the helicopter as being Precision Helicopters, Inc. The FAA airworthiness certificate and registration certificate were not found at the accident scene. The aircraft, which was manufactured in 1994, had a total flight time of approximately 40 hours at the time of the accident. The recording hour meter was not found during the course of the investigation. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Weather information includes the following reports, and calls by persons in the vicinity of the crash site at about the same time as the presumed crash time. A summary of that information is attached to this report. Astoria 2056 weather: Wind 180 degrees at 5 mph, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 8000 feet, 10,000 feet overcast, temperature 16 degrees C, dew point 14 degrees, altimeter 30.01. Kelso 2055 weather: Wind 070 degrees at 3 mph, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 2100 feet, few clouds at 2700 feet, 8000 broken, temperature 18 degrees C, dew point 13 degrees, altimeter 30.00. Persons reporting included one person who was driving along highway 30 when he saw the helicopter at abut 150 feet, with navigation lights on, and the landing light came on briefly and then off. He said that he was in a heavy rain squall between Knapp and Svensen (approximately 2 miles east of Svensen). This person called a second time and called the rain squall a driving rain storm. Another person living in Knappa stated that he saw a small helicopter just above the tree tops, appearing to be following highway 30, around 2100-2130 local time. He reported that there was low fog, and the helicopter was under it. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION On-scene inspection and documentation of the accident scene was performed by an FAA inspector. The wreckage distribution was from west to east on an approximate heading of 080 degrees, for approximately 110 feet GPS coordinates of the accident scene were reported to be N 46 degrees 09 minutes 45 seconds, and W 123 degrees 28 minutes 21 seconds. The accident scene was in dense mature forest MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed by Dr. Larry V. Newman, at 301 N. E. Knott, Portland, Oregon, on September 21, 1999. Partial toxicological testing was performed for volatiles, however carbon monoxide and cyanide tests were not performed. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was moved to Specialty Aircraft, in Redmond, Oregon. It was released to the insurance adjuster on November 15, 1999. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N383T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N383T-2002-07-30), registration cancelled 2002-07-30, S/N S1690, built 1994 (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: S1690 - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Theodore M Natt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1999, 32 hours before - Departed: OYSTERVILLE, WA - Destination: KELSO, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,156 total, 86 in this make and model, 1,047 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Dusk - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KAS ## 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 19990807012619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990807012619A), Aug 7, 1999: Hughes 269C, Westport, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Schweizer 269C helicopter was reported missing after it took off from oysterville, OR, on 8/8/99, an alnot was issued, but the alnot and search were cancelled… 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.