On December 27, 2003, a Schweizer 269C-1 (registration N358SS) was involved in an aviation accident near Byron, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper use of the collective, and failure to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing autorotations sustained serious injuries after a hard landing in an off-airport field. The pilot reported a shudder and inability to regain airspeed; examination revealed low main rotor rpm and no flight control or engine discrepancies.
Incident Summary
A pilot was practicing autorotations into an off-airport open field. The landing was hard, and the pilot sustained serious injuries as a result.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, a shudder was felt during the autorotation. The pilot attempted to regain airspeed by applying forward cyclic control, but was unsuccessful in recovering airspeed.
Examination Findings
An examination of the helicopter was conducted following the incident. The examination revealed evidence that the main rotor rpm had been low during the maneuver. No discrepancies were found with the flight controls or the engine.
Summary of Findings
The investigation did not identify any mechanical issues with the flight controls or engine. The low main rotor rpm evidence indicates that the rotor speed was below optimal levels during the autorotation.