Schweizer 269C accident near Fenton, MI
On October 18, 2003, a Schweizer 269C (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Fenton, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 18, 2003
- Place
- Fenton, MI
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 269C · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.807°N, 83.774°W
- NTSB ID
- 20031020X01776
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 18, 2003, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N456JP, collided with the water while maneuvering over Lake Copneconic, in Fenton, Michigan. The private rated helicopter pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originally departed from the Dalton Airport (3DA) in Flushing, Michigan, around 1130 and made a short stop at Price's Airport (9G2), Linden, Michigan, before the accident. The passenger stated that the pilot wanted to fly over Lake Copneconic so he could point out his house. The passenger reported that the pilot performed low level maneuvers including steep banks below tree top level. The passenger stated that he had a headache from the maneuvering. About the time the passenger was going to inform the pilot of his headache, the pilot leveled the helicopter. The passenger reported that he thought the pilot was going to depart the area, but the helicopter began to lose altitude. The pilot asked the passenger if he wanted to touch the water. The passenger stated that he replied, "I don't think so." According to the passenger, shortly thereafter the skids of the helicopter contacted the water and the helicopter sank instantaneously into the lake, canopy first. The passenger reported that he freed himself from the seatbelt and believes he exited the helicopter before it contacted the bottom of the lake. The passenger stated that he began to swim to the shore when he surfa
Probable cause
The intentional low altitude flight maneuvering and the ostentatious display by the pilot. The water was a factor to the accident.
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Browse: Michigan · Schweizer aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
