# NTSB FTW00LA105: Schweizer 300C, N698SM, New Ulm, TX, March 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2000, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: New Ulm, TX - Coordinates: 29.869714, -96.489311 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8697&lon=-96.4893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51125/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight evaluation of the landing area, which resulted in the separation of the main rotor system as a result of foreign object damage. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Rotor failure/malfunction, hover - in ground effect - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - rotor system,main rotor - foreign object damage - rotor system - separation - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter was transporting a passenger to a remote site to change the batteries on a seismic recorder box. As the pilot terminated the landing approach to a hover at a skid height of 1 to 2 feet above the ground, an empty canvas heli-bag that was lying on the ground blew into the helicopter's main rotor system. The helicopter developed 'a severe' vibration, the main rotor system separated, and the helicopter impacted the ground in a 'moderately hard landing.' The operator stated that the accident could have been prevented by 'making sure that heli-bag is secure and that aircraft is a safe distance from bag and box.' ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2000, at 1040 central standard time, a Schweizer 300C helicopter, N698SM, sustained substantial damage during landing near New Ulm, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was registered to ADC, Inc., of San Angelo, Texas, and was operated by SkyLane Helicopters, LLC., of Decatur, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight, for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed at 1030 from an off-airport staging area near New Ulm, Texas. The operator and pilot reported to an FAA inspector that the helicopter was transporting the passenger to a remote site to change the batteries on a seismic recorder box. As the pilot terminated the landing approach to a hover, at a skid height of 1 to 2 feet above the ground, an empty canvas bag that was lying on the ground blew into the main rotor system. According to the pilot and passenger, the helicopter developed "a severe vibration and the main rotor system separated from the helicopter." Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the ground in a "moderately hard landing." In the section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (Form 6120.1/2) titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)", the operator stated "making sure that heli-bag [canvas bag] is secure and that aircraft is a safe distance from bag and box." According to the FAA inspector, who examined the helicopter, the main rotor mast housing was fractured just above the top of the transmission case, and the upper portion of the mast housing and the main rotor system separated from the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N698SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N698SM-2007-06-04), registration cancelled 2007-06-04, S/N S1768, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 300C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1768 - Airframe hours: 439 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Skylane Helicopters, LLC. - Registered owner: Adc, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 2000, 398 hours before - Departed: NONE, NEW ULM, TX - Destination: NONE, NEW ULM, TX - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,105 total, 575 in this make and model, 960 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000326012839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000326012839A), Mar 26, 2000: New Ulm, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) When flying a passenger and cargo to a remote landing area the pilot manuevered his heli. To land within 10 feet of a seismic survey electronic junction… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.