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NTSB Report

August 9, 2004 · Schweizer 269C-1 · N204LH

Denton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Denton, TX
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C-1
Tail Number
N204LH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA209

The 2,800-hour flight instructor reported that while practicing hovering autorotations, the 40-hour student pilot applied full forward cyclic and full collective while reducing throttle. As the flight instructor applied full aft cyclic and lowered the collective, the helicopter pitched forward and the skids contacted the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled to the left and came to rest on its left side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight by his delay in taking remedial action.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 2004, at 1640 central daylight time, a Schweizer 269C-1 single-engine helicopter, N204LH, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while hovering at the Denton Municipal Airport (DTO) near Denton, Texas. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The helicopter was registered and operated by Longhorn Helicopters, Inc., of Trophy Club, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from DTO about 1540. The 2,800-hour flight instructor reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while practicing hovering autorotations, the student pilot applied full forward cyclic and full collective while reducing throttle. As the flight instructor applied full aft cyclic and lowered the collective, the helicopter pitched forward and the main rotor blades impacted the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled to the left and came to rest on its left side. The rated pilot receiving instruction stated that he "did not knowingly apply forward cyclic or full collective." The operator reported that all main rotor blades were destroyed and the skid landing gear, tailboom and the left side of the fuselage were also damaged. The 2004-model helicopter was reported to have accumulated a total of 224 hours since new. The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instructions performed two hovering autorotations with no drift. On the third hovering autorotation, accomplished at a skid height of 12 to 18 inches off the ground, the student applied full forward cyclic with full collective while reducing throttle. The flight instructor added that the maneuver was initiated with the helicopter into the wind, while hovering over level grassy area. The wind at the time of the accident was from 360 degrees at 2 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 CDT
Nearest AirportDenton Municipal Airport (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269C-1
Tail NumberN204LH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-G1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data