Schweizer 269C N38DM

Summary

On 4 May 2006 at about 14:30 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N38DM was involved in an accident near Kings Park, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

4 May 2006 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Kings Park, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Long Island Mac Arthur (KISP)

Coordinates

40.8572, -73.1744

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N38DM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Islip → White Plains

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06LA106

2 people had minor injuries.

Loss of engine power due to the failure of the number 3 connecting rod bearing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the emrgency landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was in cruise flight, about 1,400 feet above ground level, when the flight instructor heard a "rumbling" from beneath and behind the cockpit. Soon after, the rumbling became louder, the oil temperature increased, the oil pressure dropped to "zero," and the engine stopped producing power. The flight instructor adjusted the flight controls for autorotation, and selected a high school athletic field for the forced landing. He attempted to extend the helicopter's glide to reach the field, while maintaining rotor rpm. Just prior to touchdown, the tail of the helicopter struck the athletic field's perimeter fence, which resulted in a loss of control, and collision with terrain. Examination of the helicopter's engine revealed that the oil suction screen was completely occluded by metal particles. The number 3 cylinder was removed, and the associated piston and connecting rod were stuck in the cylinder bore. The connecting rod was fractured at the yoke, and free of the crankshaft. The connecting rod cap was fragmented, and the fragments were found scattered in the oil sump. The number 3 connecting rod bearing material was completely extruded and fragmented, and a mode of failure could not be determined. Examination of the engine maintenance records revealed that the engine had accrued 2,157 total hours of operation, 759 total hours since overhaul, and 90 total hours since the number 1 cylinder assembly was replaced due to low compression and a broken piston ring.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.