Schweizer 269C 1 N1549W

Summary

On 3 August 2016 at about 15:47 local time, a Schweizer 269C 1 registered N1549W, operated by Gulf Coast Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Jeanerette, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2016 at 15:47

Classification

Accident

Location

Jeanerette, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

29.9978, -91.4056

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C 1

Registration

N1549W

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Gulf Coast Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gonzales → Patterson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16FA304

1 person died.

The pilot's loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was completing a scheduled biweekly patrol of a series of intersecting pipelines. When the helicopter failed to arrive as scheduled, a search was initiated. The helicopter was located partially submerged in a remote, thickly wooded cypress swamp. The damage to the helicopter and to surrounding trees indicated that the helicopter was in a near-vertical descent with a nose-down attitude at impact. Examination of the helicopter and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact discrepancies or anomalies, and damage to the main rotor blades was consistent with the engine producing power at impact. Review of weather information revealed that there was a large thunderstorm complex in the area, but it did not extend over the accident site. The closest weather station, located about 18 miles from the accident site, was reporting visual flight rules to marginal flight rules conditions due to light rain and a broken-to-overcast cloud layer. Due to an overcast layer of high cirriform clouds over the accident site, it was not possible to determine if any low clouds were in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of control by the pilot. The reason for the pilot's loss of helicopter control could not be determined.  

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.