Accident Overview
On February 28, 2025, about 1800 central standard time, a Schweizer 269C-1 helicopter sustained substantial damage during an accident near Alvord, Texas. The helicopter was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that after taking off from his residence and flying approximately 1 mile, he heard a “pop” and observed a decrease in engine rpm. In response, he initiated an autorotation to a field. During the autorotation, the helicopter flipped over and came to rest inverted.
Damage and Examination
The inverted landing resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor, fuselage, and tail boom. The helicopter was retained for further examination to determine the cause of the engine power loss.