Schweizer 269C-1 accident near Askov, Minnesota, July 20, 2002
On July 20, 2002 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 (helicopter), registered N897TH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Askov, Minnesota (Pvt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Directional control not obtained/maintained during the aborted takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2002 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Askov, Minnesota · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C-1 · all 269C-1s on the register
- Registration
- N897TH · no longer on the register · serial 0065
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A helicopter piloted by a pilot with a helicopter solo endorsement contacted the ground while in a right spin after an aborted takeoff. The pilot reported that the helicopter went into the spin upon lift off 5-10 feet above the ground. He stated that he could not get the spin to completely stop. The main rotor blades exhibited impact damage and torsional buckling of the tail rotor drive shaft was consistent with a stoppage forward of the tail rotor drive shaft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The tail rotor's fracture surfaces were consistent with overstress.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,595 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 3, 2002; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HO-360-C1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Askov MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 11:33 pm from MZH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.