Schweizer 269C-1 accident near Van Nuys, California, April 27, 2004
On April 27, 2004 at about 9:40 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 (helicopter), registered N61415, was substantially damaged in an accident near Van Nuys, California (Van Nuys airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the failure of maintenance personnel to ensure the proper charge of the aft landing gear dampers in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 2004 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Van Nuys, California · Van Nuys · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C-1 · all 269C-1s on the register
- Registration
- N61415 · registry record · serial 18
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter encountered ground resonance during the initial run-up prior to takeoff. During the run-up, the magneto checks produced a rough running engine. At 2,000 rpm the certified flight instructor (CFI) attempted to correct the roughness by leaning the mixture. The helicopter then began shaking from side-to-side, indicating ground resonance. Due to the low rpm, the CFI elected to close the throttle rather than lift the helicopter from the ground. The ground resonance increased and neither the pilot-undergoing-instruction nor the CFI could hold onto the controls. The CFI then pulled the mixture control and the engine stopped. The skid damper assemblies were examined and tested for charge. The rear dampers had a lower charge than that specified in the maintenance manual for the helicopter. The forward dampers were within limits. The Schweizer 269 maintenance instructions call for the dampers to be checked and correctly pressurized at each 100-hour inspection. The last 100-hour inspection was 1 month 61 hours prior to the accident.
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: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,079 hours in all; 631 in this make and model; 194 in the last 90 days; 138 in the last 30 days; 1,008 as pilot in command; 771 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 301 hours in all; 156 in this make and model; 151 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,689.7 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 17, 2004; 61.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HO-360-C1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Group 3 Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 9:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from VNY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.