Schweizer 269D
San Antonio, TX, May 9, 2008
Event Information
| Date | May 9, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | San Antonio, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 29.33694, -98.47111 |
| Airport | STINSON MUNI |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | DFW08TA137 |
| Event ID | 20080516X00685 |
Aircraft
| Make | Schweizer |
| Model | 269D |
| Registration # | N584PM |
| Operator | San Antonio Police Department |
| Owner | San Antonio Police Department |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to compensate for the excessive rate of descent on final approach. A contributing factor was the reported down draft.
Full Narrative
On May 9, 2008 at approximately 1220 central daylight time a single engine Schweizer 269D helicopter, N584PM, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following a practice autorotation. The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The helicopter was owned and operated by the San Antonio Police Department. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local pattern flight originated at Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), San Antonio, Texas.
In a statement provided by the flight instructor, while demonstrating a 180 degree right autorotation the helicopter entered a "down draft" resulting in a loss of altitude. Due to low altitude the pilot elected not to roll power on and decided to continue the autorotation to a touchdown. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent rate and the helicopter touched down level, bounced 2 to 3 feet and came to rest in the upright position. Damage was discovered to the helicopter skids and supporting structure.
At 1253 an automated weather observation station at SSF reported winds from 160 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility 7 miles, clear skies, temperature 90 degrees, dew point 68 degrees, and a barometric pressure of 29.78 inches of Mercury.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.