Schweizer 269C-1 N6147L

Summary

On 21 August 2002 at about 13:48 local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 registered N6147L was involved in an accident near Andover, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 August 2002 at 13:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Andover, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Aeroflex-Andover (12N)

Coordinates

41.0061, -74.7394

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C-1

Registration

N6147L

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairfield → Andover

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC02FA171

2 people were seriously injured.

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to correct the low rotor condition. A factor was the student pilot's improper use of the collective, which created the low rotor condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot (SP) & flight instructor (FI) were practicing autorotations with a power recovery in a Schweitzer 269C-1. The helicopter struck the runway hard, collapsed the left skid and rolled over on its left side. The SP reported that the main rotor rpm was increasing and he tried to raise the collective. It did not move, and when it did move, it came all the way up, the main rotor blades stalled, and the helicopter hit hard. The FI said the SP raised the collective, and he immediately lowered it, added power, and was unable to prevent a hard landing. The FI reported that the engine responded to his inputs. A check of the flight controls found that the collective and main rotor swash plate operated free and easy, with no evidence of jamming or resistance. An engineering test pilot with Schweitzer reported a momentary pop-up of the collective to full up and back down in less than 1 second would not cause blade stall. Blade stall would require the collective to be held full up for 3 or more seconds. The FI reported that his hand was near the collective, but not on it. No loose items were found in the helicopter that could have restricted movement of the collective.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.