N72DC – SCHWEIZER 269C – 2011-07-03 NTSB Accident Report

On July 03, 2011, a Schweizer 269C (N72DC) was involved in an incident near Katy, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a low-altitude maneuvering flight.

The helicopter pilot was flying between six and seven feet above the ground, at an airspeed of 20 knots, over a field of rice to cross-pollinate the crop. The pilot stated that he encountered a low rotor rpm situation and the helicopter started to settle. As soon as the helicopter descended, the landing skid became tangled in the rice plants, the helicopter impacted the rice field, and came to rest on its side. During the collision with terrain, the tail boom and main rotor separated from the fuselage. An examination of the helicopter and its systems, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, revealed no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA442. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N72DC.