Schweizer 269C N41S

Summary

On 15 November 1993 at about 16:00 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N41S was involved in an accident near Elmira, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 November 1993 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Elmira, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Elmira Corning Regional (ELM)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N41S

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO94LA011

1 person had minor injuries.

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT A CRITICAL POINT ON A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN A FLARE FOR THE LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND AND DOWNDRAFT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT AND CO-PILOT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS DURING A TEST FLIGHT. DURING THEIR SEVENTH AUTOROTATION, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AUTOROTATION WAS CONTINUED AND THE CREW REPORTED THEY ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE CONTROL TOWER REPORTED THE WINDS FROM A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 240 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS. IN HIS WRITTEN REPORT CONCERNING THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE FROM A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 230 DEGREES VARIABLE TO 270 DEGREES AT 23 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 35 KNOTS. THE MANUFACTURER'S FLIGHT MANUAL STATES: 'CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE IN 20 MPH WINDS FROM ANY DIRECTION.' THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE'S LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.