Schweizer 269C accident near Ormond Beach, Florida, July 23, 2007
On July 23, 2007 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C (helicopter), registered N171TA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ormond Beach, Florida (Ormond Beach airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2007 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ormond Beach, Florida · Ormond Beach · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N171TA · registry record · serial 0161
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were practicing an engine failure, with a 180-degree turn. According to the CFI, the student pilot attempted to "stretch," to reach a field to the helicopter's left, even though a more obtainable field was located to the helicopter's right. The CFI called for a go-around at 150 feet above the ground; however, when the student pilot rolled on the throttle and pulled up on the collective, the rpm began to drop quickly, and the helicopter continued to descend. The CFI took the controls; however, the helicopter struck pine trees, and descended to the ground. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions.
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, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 340 hours in all; 238 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 251 as pilot in command; 90 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 20 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,933 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OMN Ormond Beach FL at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from OMN, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number NYC07CA184.