Schweizer 269C-1 accident near Hillsboro, Oregon, May 13, 2012
On May 13, 2012 at about 9:54 pm local time, a Schweizer 269C-1 (helicopter), registered N61482, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hillsboro, Oregon. 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 flight instructor's improper decision to take off from a hover with low rotor rpm.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2012 · about 9:54 pm local time
- Place
- Hillsboro, Oregon · 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
- N61482 · no longer on the register · serial 0081
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While conducting a series of off-airport landings, the pilot receiving instruction circled the area and initiated a second approach to the predetermined landing area. During the approach and hover, the flight instructor observed the engine and rotor rpms at the bottom of the green arc and advised the pilot to bring the engine rpm back to the top of the green arc. The pilot informed the flight instructor that they were at full throttle, and the flight instructor took control of the helicopter. After hovering for about 30 seconds, the flight instructor performed a left turn and initiated takeoff. As the helicopter transitioned through effective translational lift, the flight instructor observed the engine and rotor rpms drop further, and the helicopter began to descend. The flight instructor maneuvered the helicopter toward a level road; however, the helicopter landed on sloping terrain and the tail rotor struck the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was subsequently successfully started and run, with no anomalies noted. It is likely that if the instructor had landed the helicopter after taking control from the pilot receiving instruction, he would have been able to increase the engine and rotor rpms back to the top of the green arc and then make a successful takeoff.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Powerplant parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 475 hours in all; 48 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 381 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 18, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 121 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 52 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 60 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 19, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,105 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 9, 2012; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,680 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hillsboro Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: Hillsboro OR at 9:15 pm
- Destination: Hillsboro OR
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.