Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 269C-1 near Titusville, FL — 2011-08-27

Final reportERA11CA474
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Date
2011-08-27
Location
Titusville, FL, USA
Airport
TIX
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 269C-1
Registration
N2093U
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's landing at an unapproved location, which resulted in a ground fire from the engine exhaust.

NTSB narrative

According to the student pilot, he flew to a clearing to practice quick stops. He landed in the grass that he estimated to be about 1 foot tall, reset the altimeter, and lifted off the ground into an approximate 3-foot hover. Shortly thereafter, he noticed smoke blowing past the right side of the helicopter. He said that as he attempted to maneuver the helicopter away from the smoke, the engine lost power, and the rotor speed decayed. He landed in the grass, which was on fire, and exited the helicopter, which sustained substantial thermal damage forward of the tailboom. A postaccident examination revealed that the engine exhaust had ignited the grass. According to the operator, the accident location was not an approved landing site. According to the helicopter's flight manual, a fire can result from landing in tall, dry grass due to the exhaust heat. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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