Accident Schweizer 269C-1 (300CB) N9421K,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 65832
 
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Date:Thursday 18 June 2009
Time:10:30
Type:Silhouette image of generic H269 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Schweizer 269C-1 (300CB)
Owner/operator:Ocean Helicopters, Inc.
Registration: N9421K
MSN: 0153
Year of manufacture:2003
Total airframe hrs:2296 hours
Engine model:Lycoming HIO-360-G1A
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Near Naples Airport, Florida -   United States of America
Phase: Initial climb
Nature:Training
Departure airport:Naples, FL (APF)
Destination airport:Immokalee, FL (IMM)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The 19-hour helicopter student pilot departed on a cross county flight and shortly after takeoff the helicopter experienced a loss of engine power. While attempting to return, the pilot allowed the main rotor rpm to decay and while descending, the helicopter contacted a building, trellis, and then the ground. Inspection of the helicopter revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls, main rotor or tail rotor drive systems. The engine was removed from the helicopter and test run after proper timing of the right magneto; no discrepancies were noted. The engine had been overhauled approximately 124 hours earlier; overhauled magnetos were installed at that time. The engine had been inspected three times since the overhauled engine was installed; the last 100-Hour inspection was approximately 29 hours earlier. The mechanic who performed the last 100-Hour inspection reported using the engine manufacturer's inspection guide and 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D as references. He did not check the magneto breaker points for pitting and minimum gap as specified in the engine manufacturer's 100-Hour inspection guide. Appendix D specified that the engine accessories are to be checked for apparent defects in security of mounting. There was no record that the magnetos had been removed since the overhauled engine was installed. The cause of the loss of engine power was determined to be caused by rotation (advance) of the right magneto which was due to an incorrect gasket and also by undetected fracture of the clamping flange. While there was no discrepancy with the left magneto, it also had an incorrect gasket installed.
Probable Cause: A loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the right magneto by maintenance personnel resulting in subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate 100-Hour inspection by the mechanic when he failed to note that improper hardware were installed at both magnetos, and his failure to detect fracture of the clamping flange of the right magneto.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: ERA09FA355
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 4 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
19-Jun-2009 10:06 slowkid Added
25-Mar-2011 11:04 RobertMB Updated [Aircraft type]
21-Dec-2016 19:25 ASN Update Bot Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency]
02-Dec-2017 15:38 ASN Update Bot Updated [Operator, Other fatalities, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]

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