Fatal Accident (2) – Schweizer 269C, N262LH, Mogadore, Ohio March 14, 2025
ASX Investigation | ||||
On the morning of Friday, March 14, 2025, a Schweizer 269C helicopter registered as N262LH was involved in a fatal accident near the Mogadore Reservoir in Suffield Township, Portage County, Ohio. The incident occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m., with emergency services responding soon after. The sole occupant of the helicopter, identified as 52-year-old Anthony Jones of North Royalton, Ohio, was found deceased following recovery operations led by local divers and first responders. The aircraft involved, a Schweizer 269C, is a piston-powered, light utility helicopter, historically used for training and agricultural operations. This model features a three-bladed fully articulated main rotor system, a Lycoming HIO-360-D1A engine producing 190 horsepower, and a robust safety and reliability record spanning decades of operational service. Originally developed by Hughes Helicopters and later manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, the 269C—also referred to as the Model 300C—offers solid performance in a cost-effective, compact design well-suited to single-occupant missions such as instructional flights or personal use. Preliminary findings from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the helicopter collided with power lines prior to impact with the water surface. Witnesses in the area reported observing the aircraft make contact with overhead electrical lines before descending uncontrollably into the reservoir. These accounts are consistent with the initial FAA advisory released at approximately 10:40 a.m. that same day. There was no reported flight plan filed, and no indication of adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash, though the investigation remains ongoing. The crash site was located in a relatively remote area adjacent to State Route 43, presenting logistical challenges for the recovery and investigative teams. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was assigned lead authority in the inquiry and is conducting a formal investigation to determine the causal factors, including structural integrity, flight control inputs, and external influences such as powerline clearance and obstacle avoidance procedures. No onboard flight data recording devices were installed, as the aircraft type is not mandated to carry such equipment. There is currently no indication of mechanical failure reported prior to the impact, though further forensic examination of recovered components and witness correlation may reveal additional contributory factors. Given the low altitude operations typical for this class of rotorcraft, wire-strike incidents represent a known hazard. Investigators will likely assess the pilot’s flight path, pre-flight briefings, visual scanning technique, and the presence or absence of wire-strike protection systems onboard the aircraft. Utility company infrastructure and obstruction marking protocols may also form part of the investigative scope. In summary, the incident involving Schweizer 269C N262LH resulted in one confirmed fatality and has prompted a multi-agency response including the FAA and NTSB. While the root cause analysis remains under development, early evidence strongly supports a collision with overhead powerlines as the initiating event in the crash sequence. Findings from this investigation may inform future guidance on wire hazard mitigation, low-level flight safety, and situational awareness training for rotorcraft operations in mixed-use environments. | ||||
Accident Information | ||||
Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 1 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 0 |  |
Aircraft Information | ||||
Aircraft Type Schweizer 269C | Operator | Registration | Serial Number | Manufacture date |
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Accident Weather |  | Additional | Official Preliminary Report | Official Final Report |