Schweizer 269C N62126

Summary

On 26 July 2004 at about 15:00 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N62126, operated by Silverhawk Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Homedale, Idaho, United States. One person was 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 July 2004 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Homedale, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.6147, -116.9214

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N62126

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Silverhawk Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Caldwell → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA04LA146

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was conducting corn pollination operations. The pilot reported that he experienced an engine failure while executing a turn to reverse direction. He further reported that there was a loss of main rotor RPM, and although the pilot attempted to increase rotor RPM by lowering the collective and rolling the throttle "into the overtravel spring," he was unsuccessful in recovering from the low RPM condition. The helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor blades severed the helicopter's tail boom. Initial examination of the engine revealed low compression readings on the cylinders. Partial disassembly of the engine indicated that the low compression was due to loose carbon deposits found on the seating surface of the valves and seats. The carbon was most likely knocked loose during the impact. No other anomalies were noted during the engine examination, and no signatures or conditions were observed consistent with any pre-mishap mechanical malfunction. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.