Schweizer H-300 N3625Z

Summary

On 22 October 1992 at about 00:05 local time, a Schweizer H-300 registered N3625Z, operated by University of North Dakota, was involved in an accident near Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 October 1992 at 00:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States

Coordinates

47.9209, -97.0697

Aircraft

Schweizer H-300

Registration

N3625Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

University of North Dakota

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

CHI93LA013

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING A NIGHT LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS ON A LOCAL FLIGHT IN DUSK/BRIGHT NIGHT CONDITIONS. HE REPORTED HE HAD THE LANDING LIGHT, POSITION AND ANTI-COLLISION LIGHTS ON, AND 'COULD SEE PRETTY GOOD IN A CONFINED AREA THAT I HAD BEEN IN MANY TIMES.' AFTER SOME MANEUVERING, THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND. HE STATED: 'I DIDN'T THINK I HAD ANY LATERAL MOVEMENT. I PERCEIVED MY (ALTITUDE) TO BE APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET, I MUST HAVE BEEN HIGHER. I REMEMBER MY LEFT SKID HITTING THE GROUND THEN SORT OF A TILT TO THE RIGHT. MY RIGHT SKID CAUGHT IN SOME DIRT TO THE RIGHT AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW THE HELICOPTER TIPPED OVER.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.