Schweizer 269C accident near Fenton, Michigan, October 18, 2003
On October 18, 2003 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C (helicopter), registered N456JP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fenton, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The intentional low altitude flight maneuvering and the ostentatious display by the pilot. The water was a factor to the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 2003 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fenton, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N456JP · registry record · serial 1564
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter collided with the water while maneuvering. The passenger reported that the pilot was performing low level maneuvers including steep bank turns below tree top level. Then the pilot asked the passenger if he wanted to touch the water. The passenger stated that he replied, "I don't think so." According to the passenger, shortly thereafter the skids of the helicopter contacted the water and the helicopter sank instantaneously into the lake.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 322 hours in all; 267 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 206 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 350.3 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 18, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9G2 Linden MI at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from FNT, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.