Schweizer 269C N34LB

Summary

On 20 September 2010 at about 22:20 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N34LB, operated by Bachman Aero, was involved in an accident near Schaumburg, Illinois, 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

20 September 2010 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Schaumburg, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C)

Coordinates

41.9892, -88.1011

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N34LB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Bachman Aero

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Schaumburg → Schaumburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA560

Nobody was injured.

The in-flight separation of the left aft cluster fitting assembly following the loss of torque on the lock nut due to a manufacturing defect.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While the helicopter was hovering prior to departure for a routine training flight, a bolt and its associated hardware for the left aft cluster fitting of the tail boom assembly departed the helicopter. Subsequently, the instructor initiated a forced landing and the helicopter came to rest upright. Examination of the bolt and lock nut revealed incomplete threads at the pinch point of the locking stake due to a manufacturing defect. The bolt and lock nut assembly were installed as part of an aft cluster fitting modification that was performed about 4 months and 216 operational hours prior to the accident. As a result of the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive for owners to check the lock nuts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.