Schweizer 269C accident near Phoenix, Arizona, May 13, 2002
On May 13, 2002 at about 5:40 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C (helicopter), registered N577TA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Deer Valley airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the CFI's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed resulted in a settling with power, and the CFI's failure to take remedial action. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2002 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix Deer Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N577TA · registry record · serial S1759
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over on its side after encountering a high rate of descent while maneuvering. The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that they had flown for about an hour with no problems noted. On the way back to their departure point the CFI took the flight controls from the student. The student, who is a 1,400-hour retired police helicopter pilot in training for his commercial certificate, said the CFI did a "quick stop" (rapidly slowing to a no forward airspeed condition). The CFI initiated a right-hand turn, and dropped the collective. As the CFI began what appeared to be a right turning autorotation, the helicopter began to descend rapidly, and the student felt that there was no forward airspeed. The altitude was approximately 400 feet agl. About 200 feet agl the rate of descent increased. The student reached for the collective to slow the rate of descent, but found that it was in its full up position. The airspeed indicator indicated no forward airspeed; the rotor and rpm needles were joined at the 2 o'clock position. The helicopter impacted the ground at a high descent rate, and had turned almost 360 degrees since beginning the maneuver. A witness to the accident saw the helicopter flying southbound in level flight. The helicopter then stopped and made a turn to the right. The witness stated that it appeared that it was a decelerating right turn. He saw the rate of descent increase and the helicopter was still turning. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the helicopter or engine. The density altitude was approximately 4,000 feet.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 930 hours in all; 838 in this make and model; 182 in the last 90 days; 49 in the last 30 days; 870 as pilot in command; 730 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,470 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 13 in the last 30 days; 1,030 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming H10-360-21A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SDL Scottsdale AZ at 4:45 pm
- Destination: SDL Scottsdale AZ
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DVT, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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 N577TA 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.