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NTSB Report

May 13, 2012 · Schweizer 269C-1 · N61482

Hillsboro, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hillsboro, OR
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C-1
Tail Number
N61482
Operator
Hillsboro Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12LA212

While conducting a series of off-airport landings, the pilot receiving instruction circled the area and initiated a second approach to the predetermined landing area. During the approach and hover, the flight instructor observed the engine and rotor rpms at the bottom of the green arc and advised the pilot to bring the engine rpm back to the top of the green arc. The pilot informed the flight instructor that they were at full throttle, and the flight instructor took control of the helicopter. After hovering for about 30 seconds, the flight instructor performed a left turn and initiated takeoff. As the helicopter transitioned through effective translational lift, the flight instructor observed the engine and rotor rpms drop further, and the helicopter began to descend. The flight instructor maneuvered the helicopter toward a level road; however, the helicopter landed on sloping terrain and the tail rotor struck the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was subsequently successfully started and run, with no anomalies noted. It is likely that if the instructor had landed the helicopter after taking control from the pilot receiving instruction, he would have been able to increase the engine and rotor rpms back to the top of the green arc and then make a successful takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Powerplant parameters-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On May 13, 2012, about 1454, Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 269C-1, N61482, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing near Hillsboro, Oregon. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Hillsboro Aviation Inc., Hillsboro, Oregon, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the flight. The local flight originated from the Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO), Hillsboro, Oregon, about 1415.In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the CFI reported that after departure, he located an off-airport landing area at an elevation of about 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl) to practice off airport landings. After circling the area, the pilot receiving instruction initiated an approach to the landing area from the south. Following an uneventful landing and takeoff, the pilot receiving instruction circled the area and initiated a second approach from the west to a hover over the intended landing area. The CFI observed the engine revolutions per minute (RPM) at the bottom of the green arc, about 2,500, and asked the pilot receiving instruction to bring the RPMs back to the top of the arc. The pilot informed the CFI that they were at full throttle and the CFI took control of the helicopter. About 30 seconds later, the CFI turned the helicopter to the north and initiated takeoff. As the helicopter transitioned through effective translational lift (ETL), the CFI observed the RPMs drop to about 2,300 to 2,400 and the helicopter began to descend. The CFI maneuvered the helicopter towards a level road, however, was unable to make it. Subsequently, the helicopter landed on sloping terrain and the tail rotor struck the ground. In a written statement to the NTSB IIC, the pilot receiving instruction reported that the first off-airport landing was performed to the north and was uneventful. The pilot initiated a second approach to the same landing area to the east and maneuvered the helicopter to an approximate 1 to 3 foot hover, when the CFI told him to roll on throttle as the engine RPM was at the bottom of the green arc. The pilot further reported that the CFI took over the controls, verified the gauges, and initiated a takeoff to the left. The CFI accelerated the helicopter over the ground as it sloped downhill, however, the engine RPMs were "drooping." The pilot stated that he last observed the engine RPM needle indicate between 2,200 and 2,300 RPM and could hear the engine "drooping." He added that as the CFI attempted to land the helicopter on a road, he heard the sound of the engine and rotor RPM dropping as the helicopter landed in a clear area just below the road. Both the CFI and pilot receiving instruction did not recall if they heard a low rotor RPM warning or saw an illuminated warning light during the accident sequence. Review of the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the accident make/model helicopter revealed that the green arc of the engine RPM is from 2,530 to 2,700 RPM. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the helicopter sustained structural damage to the tailboom and the vertical stabilizer was separated. The FAA inspector stated that following recovery of the helicopter and a brief inspection of the engine, the engine was started and ran uneventfully with no anomalies noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:54 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269C-1
Tail NumberN61482
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHillsboro Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 31 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data