Schweizer 269C-1 accident near Reno, Nevada, May 29, 2008
On May 29, 2008 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 (helicopter), registered N2024Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Reno, Nevada. 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 student pilot's failure to maintain translational lift airspeed while approaching the pinnacle and the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2008 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C-1 · all 269C-1s on the register
- Registration
- N2024Z · no longer on the register · serial 0098
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the instructional flight was to practice pinnacle approaches. Approaching a ridgeline to be used for the pinnacle approach, the flight instructor observed the airspeed drop below 41 knots (translational lift), resulting in a loss of altitude and the inability to clear the ridgeline. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter, initiated a left turn to avoid the ridgeline, and lowered collective in an attempt to gain airspeed. The helicopter subsequently impacted terrain in a level attitude after failing to gain sufficient altitude to clear a ravine, sliding about 30 to 40 feet after impact. The instructor said there were no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine during the flight.
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 control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other person › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 560 hours in all; 510 in this make and model; 135 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 112 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 45D Reno NV
- Destination: 45D
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
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.