# NTSB WPR15LA261: Schweizer 269C, N290R, Forest Grove, OR, September 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 2015, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Forest Grove, OR - Coordinates: 45.539722, -123.114166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5397&lon=-123.1142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 11, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. - NTSB case key (mKey): 91996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91996/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91996 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA261 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Schweizer 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=8059502), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that, during low-altitude cruise while conducting a positioning flight and with the helicopter about 40 knots and 55 ft above ground level, the engine lost power, and the helicopter began to lose altitude. During the subsequent autorotation, the helicopter struck some wires near the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter came to rest on its left side nearly inverted. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Further, the engine was test run at a low-power setting with no anomalies noted. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 2015, about 0815 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N290R, sustained substantial damage during an off field landing, near Forest Grove, Oregon. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Oregon Roses Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the positioning flight. The local flight originated from a private helipad about 0814. The pilot reported that during low altitude cruise to a nearby landing site, where it was planned to take on chemical spray, the engine lost power and the helicopter began to lose altitude. At the time, the pilot was flying about 40 knots and approximately 55 feet above ground level. During the auto-rotation, the helicopter struck some wires near the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side, nearly inverted. Postaccident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the main rotor blades and tail boom were substantially damaged. The helicopter was recovered to a secure local storage facility for further examination. Further examination of the helicopter by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, an FAA inspector, a Sikorsky Investigator, and a certified Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic revealed no evidence of any internal damage to the engine or its accessories. The oil dipstick reading indicated a quantity of 6 quarts. The exhaust remained attached and was intact. Continuity of all the engine controls was established. The lower spark plugs were removed and examined and all sparkplug electrodes exhibited normal wear signatures when compared to the Champion Check-A-Plug comparison chart. The crankshaft was rotated by hand and compression was obtained on all the cylinders. It was determined that an engine run could be safety accomplished. The engine was subsequently test run and functioned normally at a low power setting. The magnetos were switched from left to right and the corresponding RPM drop was observed during the run. The Sikorsky investigator and the certified A&P mechanic stated that the engine ran smoothly and that they observed no engine anomalies. The engine run was accomplished at a low power setting only, due to concerns over the damage sustained to the mast support structure and the helicopter's overall stability, after the removal of the main rotor blades and tail boom. The helicopter's main transmission, gear boxes, drive shafts, and rotor heads were examined and no anomalies were noted with the exception of the tail rotor drive shaft that was separated by a main rotor blade strike, just aft of the vertical stabilizer mounting point. Tail rotor drive continuity was established to the point where the tail boom was separated, and from the separationpoint to the tail rotor gearbox. Flight control continuity was established with the cyclic and collective. The electric cyclic trim system was operated during the exam with no anomalies noted. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the helicopter was equipped with a 49 gallon fuel tank. The tank sustained damage to the aft, outboard portion but remained intact, with no loss of fuel. The fuel screen was removed, and there was fuel in the screen housing. The screen was observed to be clean of debris. Fuel samples from the storage tank and helicopter were taken and later tested by the FAA using a water detection paste, with negative results. A review of the helicopter's maintenance records revealed that the engine and airframe underwent their most recent annual inspection on September 08, 2015, at an airframe total time of 2,050.9 hours. The time since the overhaul of the engine was 494.2 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N290R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N290R-2020-10-03), registration cancelled 2020-10-03, S/N S1537, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: S1537 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 2050.9 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2015 - Departed: Forest Grove, OR - Destination: Forest Grove, OR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 872 total, 812.4 in this make and model, 672 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KHIO, 7 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 20150918016019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150918016019A), Sep 18, 2015: Schweizer 269C, Forest Grove, OR, Substantial damage. Helicopter, N290R, departed a 137 base in Forest Grove, Oregon at approximately 08:04 local time to ferry the helicopter to a field about 1 mile to the north.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91996. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airframe and Engine Examination Report (item 2, .PDF, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Annual Inspection Logbook Entry (item 3, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Annual%20Inspection%20Logbook%20Entry-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 342 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.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.