4 Apr 2010: SCHWEIZER 269C — Front Range Helicopters

4 Apr 2010: SCHWEIZER 269C — Front Range Helicopters

No fatalities • Idledale, CO, United States

Probable cause

The flight instructor's delayed remedial actions to regain rotor rpm, resulting in a rapid descent and hard landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The flight instructor and private pilot were conducting an approach to a pinnacle landing pad. Two previous passes were made and both pilots estimated winds to be from the northeast at 8 knots. While approaching the landing pad from the southwest, the flight instructor noticed that the helicopter's rpm were slightly low and he reminded the private pilot to increase power until the rpm's were in the green arc of the rpm gauge. The private pilot did not increase power sufficiently enough to place the rotor rpm in the green arc and the helicopter began to descend rapidly. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, increased power, and attempted to reverse course and travel downhill. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and rolled approximately 1 1/4 times before coming to rest on its right side. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and tail boom. An examination of the airframe by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. Additionally, neither pilot reported a malfunction of the airframe or engine.

Contributing factors

  • cause Prop/rotor parameters — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Instructor/check pilot
  • cause Instructor/check pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 350/16kt, vis 10sm

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