Friday, April 28, 2017

Schweizer 269C, N521AR, operated by Canyon State Aero LLC: Accident occurred April 27, 2017 in Coolidge, Pinal County, Arizona

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona
Lycoming Engines; Mesa, Arizona

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N521AR



Location: Coolidge, AZ
Accident Number: WPR17LA093
Date & Time: 04/27/2017, 0945 MST
Registration: N521AR
Aircraft: SCHWEIZER 269C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

On April 27, 2017, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Schweizer 269C, N521AR, was substantially damaged subsequent to a hard landing near Coolidge, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Canyon State Aero, LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The cross-country instructional flight departed Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona, about 0915 with a planned destination of Coolidge, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was training in preparation towards a commercial certificate. While traveling south about 2,000 to 2,100 ft mean sea level, and 65 to 70 knots airspeed, he scanned manifold pressure, altitude, airspeed and engine/rotor rpm. Everything appeared normal. Shortly thereafter, he noticed a change in the sound of the engine, and that the rpm gauge indicated a drop. The pilot checked the throttle to make sure it had not rolled back out of the friction. He then rolled the throttle further, however there was no response. He rolled it slightly off and again there was no response. The helicopter was close to the ground at this time, so he chose a spot to land on the open desert floor. Just before touchdown, he flared and the helicopter impacted the ground hard and rolled over onto its right side.

During the postaccident engine examination, the bottom spark plugs were removed. According to the Champion Spark Plugs Check-A-Plug Chart AV-27, the spark plug electrodes displayed coloration consistent with normal wear. The crankshaft was rotated by hand with no binding noted. Thumb compression was observed in each cylinder. Mechanical continuity was established to the accessory section. During the engine control continuity check, the throttle arm at the fuel injector servo would not move when a corresponding input was applied at the collective throttle grip. Further examination revealed that the throttle cable was found to have separated within the cable housing, and in an area where the cable housing was slightly bent. The cable housing was securely mounted at each end and exhibited no visual evidence that it had been damaged during the accident sequence. The cable was removed from the housing. There was no kinking or evidence of binding observed. The cable was found worn and had separated near the servo end about 1 inch from where it swaged to the rigid portion.

The engine was then prepared for an engine run. The engine was started with the starter using standard procedures. Once the engine was at operating temperature, the throttle was advanced to an rpm to facilitate a magneto check utilizing the cockpit mounted ignition switch. Both magnetos operated at each of their respective switch detents and within manufacturers specifications. The engine ran smoothly throughout the operational check.

The engine manufacturer participant reported that the subject cable is not controlled by any hourly or calendar life limits, and there was no way to disassemble the cable from the housing to facilitate an internal examination. Further examination of the helicopter maintenance logbooks did not provide a history for the subject cable.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/11/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 156 hours (Total, all aircraft), 130 hours (Total, this make and model), 6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 76 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: SCHWEIZER
Registration: N521AR
Model/Series: 269C UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: S1785
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/17/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2050 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 14 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4147.8 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: HIO360-D1A
Registered Owner: CANYON STATE AERO LLC
Rated Power: 190
Operator: CANYON STATE AERO LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KP08, 1574 ft msl
Observation Time: 1655 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 119°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting:
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: MESA, AZ (FFZ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: COOLIDGE, AZ (P08)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0915 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  32.977778, -111.517500

NTSB Identification: WPR17LA093

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, April 27, 2017 in Coolidge, AZ
Aircraft: SCHWEIZER 269C, registration: N521AR
Injuries: 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On April 27, 2017, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Schweizer 269C, N521AR, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a hard landing near Coolidge, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Canyon State Aero, LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The cross-country instructional flight departed Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona, about 0915 with a planned destination of Coolidge, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that it was a training flight and that he was working towards a commercial certificate. The pilot reported that in level flight he noticed a change in the sound of the engine. He then noticed that the RPM dual tachometer was below the normal limit, and attempted to correct the anomaly by increasing the throttle with the twist grip. He noted there was no response to the RPM and he attempted to make a landing in the open desert. He flared just before touchdown, and the helicopter landed hard and rolled onto its right side. The pilot noted that he did not observe the rotor/engine tachometer needles split prior to landing.

The helicopter was recovered for further examination.


SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Authorities say a Mesa police officer-in-training suffered a head injury when his helicopter had to make an emergency landing in San Tan Valley.   Police say the pilot was flying from Falcon Field to Coolidge when the helicopter was forced to land due to engine failure around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.

Rural Metro Fire officials say the pilot was the only person on board and wasn't seriously hurt despite the head injury. He was alert and conscious. The man's name wasn't immediately released.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, which left the helicopter with significant damage.

Story and video:  http://www.fox10phoenix.com

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