Schweizer 269C N155T

Summary

On 22 March 1996 at about 23:24 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N155T was involved in an accident near Ontario, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 March 1996 at 23:24

Classification

Accident

Location

Ontario, California, United States

Coordinates

34.0205, -117.5802

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N155T

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hesperia → La Verne

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

Unk

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96FA140

2 people died.

The pilot's decision to attempt a VFR descent into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non instrument rated private pilot contacted ATC while in VFR conditions on top of an overcast cloud layer and in proximity of mountains. After acknowledging instructions to maintain VFR, the pilot informed the controller that he was descending to his destination. The helicopter impacted mountainous terrain at the 4,600 foot (msl) elevation level. Weather at the nearest reporting point, 8 miles south of the accident site, included a 2,900 foot msl broken cloud layer and a 4,900 foot msl overcast cloud layer. The person who refueled the helicopter at the departure point reported that the pilot appeared anxious to get to his destination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.