Schweizer 269C N75068

Summary

On 5 December 2007 at about 16:30 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N75068 was involved in an accident near Hazelton, Indiana, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 December 2007 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hazelton, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Snider Field (0IN1)

Coordinates

38.5083, -87.6083

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N75068

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Henderson → Hazelton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08CA020

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed during the intentional autorotation, and his subsequent inability to reduce the descent rate prior to impact. A contributing factor was the intentional autorotation initiated by the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot initiated an intentional autorotation to a landing site at the destination airport. He recalled that after entering the autorotation, the helicopter drifted and that reaching the intended touchdown point became questionable. The pilot reported that he had intended to add power and continue to the intended landing site, but the helicopter did not seem to respond as expected. The pilot was unable to reduce the descent rate and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground at the point of intended landing. A post accident inspection did not reveal any anomalies associated with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.