Schweizer 269C-1 N2024Z

Summary

On 29 May 2008 at about 18:00 local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 registered N2024Z, operated by Bristow Academy, was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2008 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Reno, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

39.7567, -119.7831

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C-1

Registration

N2024Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Bristow Academy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Reno → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA08CA144

1 person had minor injuries.

The student pilot's failure to maintain translational lift airspeed while approaching the pinnacle and the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the instructional flight was to practice pinnacle approaches. Approaching a ridgeline to be used for the pinnacle approach, the flight instructor observed the airspeed drop below 41 knots (translational lift), resulting in a loss of altitude and the inability to clear the ridgeline. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, initiated a left turn to avoid the ridgeline, and lowered collective in an attempt to gain airspeed. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain in a level attitude after failing to gain sufficient altitude to clear a ravine, sliding about 30 to 40 feet after impact. The instructor said there were no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.