Schweizer 269C N41TH

Summary

On 20 May 1998 at about 22:30 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N41TH, operated by Lewis H. Travland, was involved in an accident near San Angelo, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 1998 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

San Angelo, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.2796, -100.4100

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N41TH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Lewis H. Travland

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA279

Nobody was injured.

The improper touchdown executed by the flight instructor, which resulted in the tail rotor impacting the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a demonstration of an autorotation, the helicopter landed hard. The pilot reported that during the autorotation, after completing a flare, he added 'max' allowable power to initiate a power recovery and directional control was lost. Subsequently, the helicopter landed with a slight yaw. The passenger reported that during the autorotation the pilot stated that 'the spot we would land was visible basically right above the pedals.' The aircraft touched down 'firm,' approximately 90 degrees from the direction of travel. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tailboom forward attachment fitting was fractured. Both tail rotor blades were attached to the hub and fork; however, one blade was found fractured and separated in the spar root area at the end of the hub spindle, and there was a dent in the leading edge near the tip. The tail rotor drive shaft was found twisted and disengaged from the upper pulley aft drive adapter. Examination of the tailboom forward attachment fitting, P/N:269A2323, and associated parts found that the fracture surface was 'consistent with an overstress failure.' There were 'no signs of preexisting cracks found.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.