Casualties unknown

2001-01-27: Schweizer 269C (N99DK) — Damon, TX

Damon, TX, US

On January 27, 2001, a Schweizer 269C (registration N99DK) was involved in an aviation accident near Damon, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff to a hover, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter rolled onto its right side during a takeoff attempt after an off-airport landing caused by an observer becoming sick. The pilot reported a wind shift and gust as the reason for the rollover.

Incident Overview

A helicopter made an off-airport landing after the observer became sick. Once the observer recovered, the pilot initiated a takeoff while the helicopter was headed into the wind. During the takeoff attempt, the helicopter rolled onto its right side, and the main rotor blades struck the ground.

Pilot Actions

According to the pilot, after increasing collective, the left skid lifted first. The pilot applied what he described as the appropriate correction—more left stick/cyclic. However, the left skid continued to rise, and the pilot felt as though the right skid was "hooked" by the ground. He then applied full left stick/cyclic deflection and lowered the collective.

Wind Shift and Gust

The pilot stated that at that time he believed a wind shift with a gust blew under the rotor and pushed the helicopter over. The main rotor blades hit the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side.

Aftermath

No further details about the outcome or damage are available from the report.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010201X00383. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.