Schweizer 269C-1 N61482

Summary

On 13 May 2012 at about 21:54 local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 registered N61482, operated by Hillsboro Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Hillsboro, Oregon, 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

13 May 2012 at 21:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Hillsboro, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.5406, -122.9500

Aircraft

Schweizer 269C-1

Registration

N61482

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Hillsboro Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hillsboro → Hillsboro

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA212

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor's improper decision to take off from a hover with low rotor rpm.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While conducting a series of off-airport landings, the pilot receiving instruction circled the area and initiated a second approach to the predetermined landing area. During the approach and hover, the flight instructor observed the engine and rotor rpms at the bottom of the green arc and advised the pilot to bring the engine rpm back to the top of the green arc. The pilot informed the flight instructor that they were at full throttle, and the flight instructor took control of the helicopter. After hovering for about 30 seconds, the flight instructor performed a left turn and initiated takeoff. As the helicopter transitioned through effective translational lift, the flight instructor observed the engine and rotor rpms drop further, and the helicopter began to descend. The flight instructor maneuvered the helicopter toward a level road; however, the helicopter landed on sloping terrain and the tail rotor struck the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was subsequently successfully started and run, with no anomalies noted. It is likely that if the instructor had landed the helicopter after taking control from the pilot receiving instruction, he would have been able to increase the engine and rotor rpms back to the top of the green arc and then make a successful takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.