Schweizer 269C N7509H

Summary

On 4 February 1995 at about 04:07 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N7509H, operated by Precision Helicopters, Inc, was involved in an accident near Red Bluff, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 February 1995 at 04:07

Classification

Accident

Location

Red Bluff, California, United States

Nearest airport

Red Bluff Municipal (RBL)

Coordinates

39.9195, -122.2807

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N7509H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Precision Helicopters, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Redding → Modesto

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX95LA098

1 person was seriously injured.

the flight instructor's poor in-flight decision to continue flight into a reduced visibility area, his failure to execute a 180-degree turn in a timely manner, and his failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) AND DUAL STUDENT DEPARTED IN A HELICOPTER AT NIGHT ON A COMBINATION NIGHT INSTRUCTIONAL/VFR FERRY FLIGHT. THE PILOTS WERE FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHEN THEY ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND MADE A 180-DEGREE TURN. HE REPORTED THAT HE ENTERED A DESCENT TO IMPROVE VISUAL REFERENCE TO THE GROUND AND SLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO ABOUT 40 KNOTS. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE SURFACE OF A RICE PADDY, SLID IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE UNTIL IT ENCOUNTERED UNEVEN TERRAIN, THEN ROLLED OVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.