Schweizer 269C-1 N20256

Summary

On 15 July 2002 at about 21:57 local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 registered N20256 was involved in an accident near Concord, California, 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

15 July 2002 at 21:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Concord, California, United States

Coordinates

37.9897, -122.0569

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C-1

Registration

N20256

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Concord → Concord

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA228

Nobody was injured.

The main rotor mast support tube failure as a result of fatigue.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter sustained an in-flight fracture and separation of the center aft mast support tube. While en route to the practice area, a slight vibration was felt through the airframe. Moments later, the vibration level became severe. The certified flight instructor (CFI) entered an autorotation, and during the descent, he looked back and found the tail rotor was disabled. The autorotation was completed to a field. Post accident metallurgical examination revealed a fracture surface consistent with fatigue.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.