# NTSB WPR12CA100: Schweizer 269C, N20536, Las Vegas, NV, February 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 11, 2012, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.295833, -115.338333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2958&lon=-115.3383&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82867/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82867 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the known wind conditions during a hovering maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an introductory helicopter training flight, the instructor attempted to demonstrate a hovering maneuver around a point on the ground. The wind at the time of the accident was estimated by the instructor to be 15 to 20 knots from the south. During the maneuver, when the helicopter was nearly headed downwind, the instructor lost control of the helicopter and it started to rotate in an uncontrollable right yaw. The instructor reported that the helicopter continued to spin until hitting the ground and rolling over about 300 feet from the initiation of the loss of control. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and main rotor drive system. The reported wind at the time of departure was from 180 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative During an introductory training flight, the instructor attempted to demonstrate a hovering maneuver around a point on the ground. The wind at the time of the accident was estimated by the instructor to be 15 to 20 knots out of the south. During the maneuver when the helicopter was near downwind, the instructor lost control of the helicopter and it started to rotate in an uncontrollable right yaw. The instructor reported that the helicopter continued to spin until hitting the ground and rolling over approximately 300 feet from the initiation of the loss of control. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and main rotor drive system. The reported wind at the time of departure was from 180 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20536](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20536), registered now, S/N S1818, built 2001 (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: S1818 - Airframe hours: 5109 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airworks Aviation - Registered owner: L J Air Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 14, 2012, 77 hours before - Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Destination: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 233 total, 42 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 9 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 20120211002499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120211002499A), Feb 11, 2012: Schweizer 269C, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was demonstrating a hovering turn around a point, described as being a car tire. As the aircraft entered a downwind condition the pilot… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82867. 591 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.