Schweizer 269C N324PH

Summary

On 14 April 2002 at about 16:15 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N324PH was involved in an accident near Scottsdale, Arizona, 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

14 April 2002 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Scottsdale (KSDL)

Coordinates

33.6269, -111.9106

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N324PH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Scottsdale → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX02LA137

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action following the onset of ground resonance.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter sustained substantial damage after experiencing a severe vibratory event during liftoff. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the helicopter was positioned on a slope. The preflight and runup were uneventful. The engine was advanced to 3,100 rpm and the CFI instructed the student to bring the downslope skid level with the upslope skid. As the collective was raised, the helicopter began to vibrate. The CFI decreased engine power and control pressures. He then increased the engine speed to 3,100 rpm. As soon as pressure was placed on the controls, the helicopter began to "self destruct." The uphill skid did not leave the surface during either attempted takeoff. No unresolved mechanical discrepancies were noted with the helicopter prior to the accident. The helicopter was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector. No preimpact discrepancies were noted with the main rotor dampers or the skid strut oleos. In the FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) it states that ground resonance is associated with fully articulated rotor systems. If a helicopter touches down on one corner, the blades may move out of their normal phase. If the rpm is in the normal operating range, the pilot should fly the helicopter off the ground, allowing the blades to automatically realign themselves. If not, the helicopter may self-destruct in a matter of seconds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.