Schweizer 269C N3623Y
21 April 1994 · Fargo, North Dakota, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 21 April 1994 at about 20:02 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N3623Y was involved in an accident near Fargo, North Dakota, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 20:02
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Fargo, North Dakota, United States
- Nearest airport
- Hector International (FAR)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C
- Registration
- N3623Y
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI94LA138
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
the pilot in command's improper autorotation technique. A factor associated with the accident is the FAA Inspector's delayed remedial action.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS DEMONSTRATING AUTOROTATIONS TO TOUCHDOWN TO AN FAA INSPECTOR AS PART OF A CHECK RIDE FOR A HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE. DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL, THE PILOT SAID HE INADVERTENTLY RAISED THE COLLECTIVE PREMATURELY AND ALLOWED THE MAIN ROTOR SPEED TO DECAY. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE FAA INSPECTOR ABOARD KNEW THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS GOING TO LAND SHORT OF THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN SITE. HE SAID THAT HE NORMALLY RESTS HIS HAND ON THE COLLECTIVE DURING PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS, BUT DID NOT DO SO IN THIS INSTANCE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Schweizer 269 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 1994 | Schweizer 269C | Valencia, California, United States | Pacific Shore Aviation | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Jun 1994 | Schweizer 269C | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States | Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 16 May 1994 | Schweizer 269C | Hiram, Georgia, United States | Cangemi, Richard S. | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Sep 1994 | Schweizer 269C | Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Apr 1994 | Schweizer 269C | Hebron, Nebraska, United States | Michael Weatherl | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Aug 1995 | Schweizer 269C | Baltimore, Maryland, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1994 | Callair A9B | Minot, North Dakota, United States | Pietsch Spraying Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Piper PA-25-260 | Crosby, North Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Jul 1994 | Air Tractor AT-301 | Eckelson, North Dakota, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 May 1994 | Grumman G-164-A | La Moure, North Dakota, United States | Robert's Aerial Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 1994 | Air Tractor AT301 | Lawton, North Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1994 | Piper PA-25 | Spiritwood, North Dakota, United States | AG Air, Inc. | No injuries | - |