• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Helicopter Flight Training Sponsors
 Search

Categories

 Search

NTSB Final Report: Allentown, PA

Location:

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Accident Number:

ERA19LA245

Date & Time:

August 11, 2019, 14:48 Local

Registration:

N1831A

Aircraft:

Schweizer 269C

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Loss of engine power (partial)

Injuries:

1 Serious, 1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

Analysis

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot of the helicopter transmitted a mayday call over the radio. The helicopter subsequently impacted a building, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe, serious injury to the pilot, and minor injury to the passenger. Neither the pilot nor the passenger provided statements regarding the events that transpired during the flight.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions either, with the exception of the engine’s magnetos. Examination of the right magneto revealed evidence of corrosion and indications of misfiring in the distributor block assembly; therefore, it is likely that the right magneto was not performing optimally during the flight. Additionally, examination of the left magneto revealed a worn cam gear, and functional testing indicated that the magneto could not produce adequate spark for engine operation at any power setting.

A review of the helicopter’s maintenance logbooks revealed that the most recent 100-hour inspection was performed about 3 months and 35 flight hours before the accident. The right magneto was installed about 2 years before the accident as a used-serviceable unit, with no previous history or time in service information. The left magneto was installed as a new unit at the same time as the right magneto. There was no indication that the left magneto had been serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s 500-hour inspection. Given this information, it is likely that the helicopter’s engine at least partially lost power shortly after takeoff, and that the loss of engine power was most likely the result of the failure of the left magneto and the sub-optimal output of the right magneto. Further, it is likely that a lack of adequate maintenance of both magnetos resulted in their degraded performance during the accident flight.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s magnetos, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a failure of the left magneto and malfunction of the right magneto.

Findings

Aircraft - Magneto/distributor - Malfunction

Personnel issues - Scheduled/routine inspection - Maintenance personnel


Factual Information

On August 11, 2019, at 1448 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C-1, N1831A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Allentown, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated by Ace Pilot Training Inc., as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight.

According to air traffic control, several minutes after being cleared for takeoff, the pilot transmitted via radio, "mayday, mayday, mayday, three one alpha going down." The helicopter subsequently collided with a building shortly thereafter. The pilot and passenger did not provide any statements regarding the circumstances or events that transpired during the flight.

Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the helicopter came to rest in a grassy area on the side of the building. The cockpit was impact-damaged. All three main rotor blades remained attached to the main rotor hub and were buckled. The tail boom was buckled and impact damaged. The tail rotor blades were buckled and remained attached to the tail rotor gearbox. Engine valve train continuity was established. The accessory section of the engine revealed some impact damage.

A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the engine was installed from another helicopter that was involved in an accident on May 17, 2017. At that time, the left magneto was newly installed. On July 25, 2018, the right magneto was replaced as a used-serviceable unit with no previous history or time in service information. The right magneto accumulated 195.6 hours on the engine since installation.

Following the accident, the right magneto could not be bench tested due to impact damage. The harness cap was removed and exhibited severe corrosion and indications of misfiring on the distributor block and the No. 2 insulator. The coil was in good condition with the exception of the bent tab; both primary windings and secondary windings were within allowable limits.

The condenser was undamaged and functioned satisfactorily.

Examination of the left magneto revealed minor damage on the housing. The magneto was bench tested and failed all sections of the testing. The magneto produced intermittent and weak sparks at all test settings.

The left magneto was opened, and the components were inspected. The coil was in good condition and the primary and secondary windings were both within allowable limits. The condenser was undamaged and functioned satisfactorily. The points were worn but in good condition. An attempt was made to reset the E-gap with the old cam installed, but it was worn and did not allow proper function. The distributor block was serviceable and showed minor wear.

A new cam was installed, the E-gap reset, and the magneto was retested, during which it performed nominally. The magneto had accumulated 578.8 hours time in service on this engine. There was no indication or logbook entry of a 500-hour inspection being completed.

There were also no indications that the Slick/Champion Aerospace Service Bulletin SB1-15A, for replacement of the distributor block, had been completed.

History of Flight

Initial climb - Loss of engine power (partial) (Defining event)

Emergency descent - Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

 

Flight instructor Information

Certificate:

Commercial; Flight instructor            Age:

23,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

None                                            Seat Occupied:

Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter                                     Restraint Used:

3-point

Instrument Rating(s):

Helicopter                                     Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

Helicopter; Instrument helicopter      Toxicology Performed:

No

Medical Certification:

Class 1 With waivers/limitations        Last FAA Medical Exam:

August 10, 2017

Occupational Pilot:

Yes                                              Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

November 26, 2018

Flight Time:

180 hours (Total, all aircraft), 180 hours (Total, this make and model)

 

Passenger Information

Certificate:

 

Age:

 

Airplane Rating(s):

 

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

 

Restraint Used:

3-point

Instrument Rating(s):

 

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

 

Toxicology Performed:

No

Medical Certification:

 

Last FAA Medical Exam:

 

Occupational Pilot:

No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

Schweizer

Registration:

N1831A

Model/Series:

269C 1

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

2005

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal

Serial Number:

0228

Landing Gear Type:

Skid

Seats:

2

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

May 28, 2019 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

1100 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

35 Hrs

Engines:

 

Airframe Total Time:

2547 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer:

 

ELT:

Not installed

Engine Model/Series:

 

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

 

Operator:

On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

ABE,393 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

14:51 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

9 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

None / None

Wind Direction:

250°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting:

30.03 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

27°C / 11°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Allentown, PA (ABE )

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Allentown, PA (ABE )

Type of Clearance:

VFR

Departure Time:

14:45 Local

Type of Airspace:

Class G

Airport Information

Airport:

Lehigh Valley Intl ABE

Runway Surface Type:

 

Airport Elevation:

393 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition:

Unknown

Runway Used:

 

IFR Approach:

None

Runway Length/Width:

 

VFR Approach/Landing:

Forced landing

 

 

 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 Serious

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

1 Minor

Aircraft Fire:

On-ground

Ground Injuries:

N/A

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

1 Serious, 1 Minor

Latitude, Longitude:

40.652221,-75.440551(est)

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Alleyne, Eric

 

Additional Participating Persons:

Javier R Casanova; Sikorsky; Stratford, CT Mike Childers; Lycoming; Williamsport, PA

David Horton; Schweizer RSG LLC.; Fort Worth, TX Joe Bauer; FAA/FSDO; Allentown, PA

 

Original Publish Date:

June 1, 2022                                           Investigation Class:

3

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100040

 

READ MORE ROTORCRAFT PRO: https://buff.ly/3Gcsroe

WATCH ROTORCRAFT PRO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://buff.ly/3Md0T3y

You can also find us on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rotorcraftpro/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rotorcraftopro/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/justhelicopters

 





Created 291 days ago
by Admin

Tags Allentown NTSB Report PA
Categories Press Releases
Categories
Print