Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 269C near Forest Grove, OR — 2015-09-18

Final reportWPR15LA261
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Date
2015-09-18
Location
Forest Grove, OR, USA
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 269C
Registration
N290R
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, during low-altitude cruise while conducting a positioning flight and with the helicopter about 40 knots and 55 ft above ground level, the engine lost power, and the helicopter began to lose altitude. During the subsequent autorotation, the helicopter struck some wires near the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter came to rest on its left side nearly inverted. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Further, the engine was test run at a low-power setting with no anomalies noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a different landing site or altitude to avoid power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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