Casualties unknown

Helicopter Damaged in Hard Landing During Practice Autorotation (N1567C)

Titusville, FL, US

On October 29, 2005, a Schweizer 269C-1 (registration N1567C) was involved in an aviation accident near Titusville, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The helicopter landed hard because the sink rate was too great during the flare. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter sustained damage after landing hard during a practice autorotation. The pilot reported that the sink rate was too great during the flare, and there were no mechanical malfunctions.

Overview

A practice autorotation resulted in a hard landing that damaged the helicopter. The maneuver was planned to the ground and proceeded without issue until the flare.

Pilot Account

The pilot stated that the autorotation was uneventful until he executed the flare. He flared the helicopter and maintained the flare to get the "sink feeling," then brought the helicopter to a level attitude. As he attempted to cushion the set-down, the helicopter "fell right through" and impacted the ground hard. The pilot attributed the hard landing to an excessive sink rate.

Damage

The helicopter incurred damage from the hard impact. The specific extent of damage was not disclosed.

Mechanical Status

According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter or any of its systems prior to the accident.

Probable cause

The helicopter landed hard because the sink rate was too great during the flare.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051110X01827. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.