NTSB Identification: WPR15FA205
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident
occurred
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
in
Newberg, OR
Aircraft:
SCHWEIZER 269C, registration:
N2096W
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
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 either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On
July 1, 2015, about 2215 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer 269C
helicopter, N2096W, was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire
as a result of a hard landing during an emergency autorotation near the
Chelaham Airpark (17S), Newberg, Oregon. The certified flight instructor
and student pilot received fatal injuries. The helicopter was owned and
operated by Precision Flight Training Incorporated, of Newberg. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The
local instructional flight was being operated in accordance with 14 Code
of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The
operator reported the flight departed 17S about 2200.
A witness, who is a helicopter mechanic, reported that after observing the helicopter depart to the northwest of the airport at about 500 ft above ground level, he heard the engine roll back (power reduction), which was followed by the helicopter starting an auto rotation. The witness reported that he heard the main rotor blades flutter, and then heard the engine rpms increase, followed by hearing the drive belts squeal prior to the impact. A second witness, who was located at the departure airport, stated that he heard a high-pitched squealing noise, similar to that of an ungreased belt on a car, followed by a sound similar to a backfire. The witness opined that prior to the accident he heard the helicopter operating at the airport, and at that time there were no audible concerns with the helicopter.
A postaccident survey of the accident site revealed that the helicopter impacted terrain upright on a southerly heading, and subsequently came to rest in a somewhat upright position oriented on a northerly heading. With the exception of the tail boom, tail rotors, tail rotor gearbox and associated components, and two of the three main rotor blades, the helicopter was destroyed as a result of impact forces and thermal damage.
The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.
A witness, who is a helicopter mechanic, reported that after observing the helicopter depart to the northwest of the airport at about 500 ft above ground level, he heard the engine roll back (power reduction), which was followed by the helicopter starting an auto rotation. The witness reported that he heard the main rotor blades flutter, and then heard the engine rpms increase, followed by hearing the drive belts squeal prior to the impact. A second witness, who was located at the departure airport, stated that he heard a high-pitched squealing noise, similar to that of an ungreased belt on a car, followed by a sound similar to a backfire. The witness opined that prior to the accident he heard the helicopter operating at the airport, and at that time there were no audible concerns with the helicopter.
A postaccident survey of the accident site revealed that the helicopter impacted terrain upright on a southerly heading, and subsequently came to rest in a somewhat upright position oriented on a northerly heading. With the exception of the tail boom, tail rotors, tail rotor gearbox and associated components, and two of the three main rotor blades, the helicopter was destroyed as a result of impact forces and thermal damage.
The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.