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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 18, 1996 · Schweizer 269C · N430CK

Silver, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Silver, TX
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C
Tail Number
N430CK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW96LA174

The pilot was attempting to flush coyotes out of some thick brush by hovering the helicopter above the brush. The helicopter was hovering into a wind coming from the west at about 12 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that 'the wind calmed and I lost lift, my RPM's quickly lowered out of the green, increasing throttle wouldn't increase RPM's, and I was too close to the top of the brush to lower collective to gain RPM.' The helicopter settled into the brush and came to rest on its right side.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor RPM.

Full Narrative

On April 18, 1996, at 1046 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N430CK, registered to and operated by Courtney King Ranch of Silver, Texas, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Silver, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated at the Courtney King Ranch about 10 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot was attempting to flush coyotes out of some thick brush by hovering the helicopter above the brush. The helicopter was hovering into a wind coming from the west at about 12 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that "the wind calmed and I lost lift, my RPM's quickly lowered out of the green, increasing throttle wouldn't increase RPM's, and I was too close to the top of the brush to lower collective to gain RPM." The tail rotor impacted the brush, then the right skid and the main rotor blades also hit the brush. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. The skids were bent, the tail boom was damaged, the rotor blades were destroyed, and the passenger side of the bubble was broken.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:46 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269C
Tail NumberN430CK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data