Plane Crash Reports 2003

2003 Plane Crash Report Result

Title: HWEIZER 269C, N109JS, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED L

Report Date: 05/22

Plane Crash Problem: On May 15, 2003, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C, N109JS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a residential area, following a partial loss of power in cruise flight near New Canaan, Connecticut. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR), Danbury, Connecticut, about 1115. No flight plan was filed for the commercial aerial photography flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was at 1,100 feet msl, flying to a site to be photographed, and noticed a gradual loss of rotor rpm. The pilot lowered the collective and increased throttle. However, the rotor rpm continued to decay. He repeated the procedure as the engine gradually lost power, but it never experienced a total power loss. The pilot set up for a forced landing to a field, but the helicopter impacted the backyard of a residence, prior to the field. When asked if he entered an autorotation, the pilot stated, "no the needles never split." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector observed that the fuselage, tail boom, main rotor, and tail rotor sustained damage. He also noted the rod-end, that mated into the fuel control, was separated. The inspector planned to further examine the helicopter after it was recovered to a storage facility.

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