Schweizer 269C N191GC

Summary

On 26 October 2003 at about 19:30 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N191GC was involved in an accident near Ann Arbor, Michigan, 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

26 October 2003 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Ann Arbor Muni (ARB)

Coordinates

42.2092, -83.7656

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N191GC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ann Arbor → Ann Arbor

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04LA021

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Weather conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice and a roadway were contributing factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was substantially damaged during a hard landing following a loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation. The flight instructor reported that shortly after takeoff, within two miles of the departure airport, the helicopter suddenly yawed to the left and the engine began to uncontrollably increase and decrease speed. He noted that it sounded as if the throttle was being rolled on and off. He added that no warning lights were illuminated. The instructor reported that he took control of the heliopter at that time. He stated that he instructed the dual student to apply carburetor heat. However, the engine continued to rev and was "making a popping sound, like it was backfiring." He noted a drop in rotor speed, so he elected to initiate an autorotation. He estimated their altitude was 500 feet above ground level at that point. "The safest spot I could see was a paved road in a subdivision; we struck the ground hard damaging the helicopter," according to the instructor. A post-accident inspection revealed no anomalies. The engine was subsequently removed and torn down. No abnormalities were found during the disassembly and examination. Weather conditions recorded at the departure airport, approximately 20 minutes after the accident, included a temperature of 9 degrees Celcius and dew point of 1 degree Celcius. Data concerning the probability of carburetor icing was obtained from Transport Canada. The conditions bordered regions of serious icing at any power setting and moderate icing at cruise power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.