Schweizer 269C-1 accident near Naples, Florida, June 18, 2009
On June 18, 2009 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 (helicopter), registered N9421K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Naples, Florida (Naples Municipal Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2009 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Naples, Florida · Naples Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C-1 · all 269C-1s on the register
- Registration
- N9421K · no longer on the register · serial 0153
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
Dual student
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,423 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,225 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 9, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,296 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 2, 2009; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-G1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Ocean Helicopters, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: APF Naples FL at 2:29 pm
- Destination: IMM Immokalee FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from APF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N9421K the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.