Schweizer 269C N565LH

Summary

On 6 July 2012 at about 21:22 local time, a Schweizer 269C registered N565LH, operated by Longhorn Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas, 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

6 July 2012 at 21:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Denton, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.2019, -97.1978

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C

Registration

N565LH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Longhorn Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denton → Denton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA431

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor and student pilot exceeded the helicopter's takeoff performance, which resulted in low rotor rpm and settling.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot were practicing takeoffs and landings to confined areas. The student pilot performed a maximum performance takeoff from a confined area to an altitude of about 10 feet above the trees. During the transition to forward flight, the low rotor rpm horn sounded and the helicopter began to settle toward the trees. The instructor applied full throttle and forward cyclic. The helicopter continued to settle and the rotor rpm continued to decay. The instructor leveled the helicopter, applied full collective, and the main rotor blades contacted trees. The helicopter settled into the trees and came to rest nose down. The instructor recommended that the student limit maximum performance takeoffs to large confined areas when operating above 3,000 feet density altitude. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident and a calculated density altitude of 3,500 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.