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NTSB Report

July 2, 2025 · Schweizer 269C 1 · N21385

Madisonville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 2025
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Madisonville, KY
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C 1 (2009)
Tail Number
N21385
Operator
Madisonville Community College
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA25LA255

The student pilot reported that he hover taxied the helicopter to land on the ramp and executed a 180° pedal turn to face the center of the ramp. When the helicopter landed, he reduced the throttle to idle, and the helicopter began to shake. A flight instructor who was watching the landing from across the ramp communicated over the radio and via hand signals, telling the pilot to pick the helicopter up to a hover. The student pilot attempted to increase the throttle and increase collective to pick the helicopter back up to a hover, but the helicopter began to shake violently, and the student pilot reduced the collective but was unable to regain control. A review of a surveillance video provided by the operator revealed that the helicopter began to rock on its skids, rotated about 180°, and rolled over on its left side, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to take the appropriate corrective action for ground resonance, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

Full Narrative

The student pilot reported that he hover taxied the helicopter to land on the ramp and executed a 180° pedal turn to face the center of the ramp. When the helicopter landed, he reduced the throttle to idle, and the helicopter began to shake. A flight instructor who was watching the landing from across the ramp communicated over the radio and via hand signals, telling the pilot to pick the helicopter up to a hover. The student pilot attempted to increase the throttle and increase collective to pick the helicopter back up to a hover, but the helicopter began to shake violently, and the student pilot reduced the collective but was unable to regain control. A review of a surveillance video provided by the operator revealed that the helicopter began to rock on its skids, rotated about 180°, and rolled over on its left side, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:25 CDT
Nearest AirportMadisonville Regional Airport (0.5nm ESE)
Runway05/2
Runway Length6051 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269C 1
Tail NumberN21385
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMadisonville Community College
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-G1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data