Schweizer 269C N72DC

Summary

On 3 July 2011 at about 17:15 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N72DC, operated by Dylan Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Katy, Texas, 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

3 July 2011 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Katy, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.7272, -95.8997

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N72DC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Dylan Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brookshire → Brookshire

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11CA442

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a low-altitude maneuvering flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, during an aerial application flight, the helicopter pilot was flying between 6 and 7 feet above the ground, at an airspeed of 20 knots. While maneuvering, the pilot encountered a low rotor rpm situation and the helicopter started to settle. As soon as the helicopter descended, the landing skid became tangled in the rice plants, and the helicopter came to rest on its side. During the collision with terrain, the tail boom and main rotor separated from the fuselage. An examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.