Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 269C near Asheville, NC — 2012-05-24

Final reportERA12LA362
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Date
2012-05-24
Location
Asheville, NC, USA
Airport
AVL
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 269C
Registration
N7505Y
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The use of an aftermarket skid shoe, which resulted in the skid shoe becoming caught on a runway centerline light during the run-on landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was demonstrating a run-on landing during a flight review. The pilot conducted the approach for landing about 40 knots, and touched down left of the runway centerline on both skids. As he lowered the collective, the helicopter's right center skid shoe contacted a runway centerline light, which sheared off the right skid and its support arms. The pilot raised the collective, raised the helicopter to a hover, and turned toward the taxiway. Shortly after, the engine and rotor rpm began to drop, and the pilot opened the throttle and lowered the collective, setting the helicopter onto the left skid. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor blades. According to a representative from the helicopter’s type certificate holder, the skid shoes installed on the make and model of the accident helicopter at the time of manufacture were comprised of a single piece of steel that conformed tightly to the skid. The skid shoes observed on the accident helicopter were constructed from a flat metal plate attached to the skid by two brackets, resulting in a small gap between the skid shoe and the skid, which would have allowed the skid shoe to become caught on raised objects on the ground. Review of both the helicopter’s maintenance logbook and FAA airworthiness records did not reveal any entries relating to replacement of the skid shoes.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided landing left of the centerline.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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