Schweizer 269C N15SS

Summary

On 29 March 1999 at about 22:30 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N15SS was involved in an accident near Westerville, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 March 1999 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Westerville, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

40.1190, -82.9092

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N15SS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbus → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA082

1 person was seriously injured.

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the Schweizer 269C helicopter circle over a house under construction at a low altitude. After one pass, the helicopter slowed down while some witnesses said it came to a hover. The helicopter was observed to wobble, and then rotate nose left and descend into trees. No evidence of pre-existing mechanical failure with the airframe was found. The engine was placed in a test cell and performed satisfactorily. The pilot was carrying a dog with him who was ejected from the helicopter during the accident sequence. The dog was reported to have been restrained by a harness, however no evidence was found to support the dog being restrained.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.