Schramm HELICYCLE N3275Q

Summary

On 5 December 1997 at about 20:00 local time, a Schramm HELICYCLE registered N3275Q was involved in an accident near Big Timber, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 December 1997 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Timber, Montana, United States

Coordinates

45.9596, -109.8495

Aircraft

Schramm HELICYCLE

Registration

N3275Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA98LA020

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. The pilot's diverted attention and transmission wires were factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during a high speed fly-by to demonstrate the helicopter to prospective investors, he became distracted by a low engine coolant temperature. The pilot stated that he did not follow his intended flight path and did not see the power lines until the last moment. The pilot rolled the helicopter to a near 90 degree angle and the main rotor blades collided with and cut the transmission wires. The helicopter subsequently crashed in snow on level terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.