- Date
- December 5, 1997, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place
- Big Timber, MT
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N3275QSchramm Helicycle
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 4, 1998
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19971205037469A
- Case key
- 42742
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. The pilot's diverted attention and transmission wires were factors.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
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.
Factual narrative
On December 5, 1997, about 1300 mountain standard time, N3275Q, a homebuilt Schramm Helicycle helicopter, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted power lines and was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Big Timber, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local business flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.
In a written statement, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the helicopter to prospective investors who were present. The pilot stated that he was aware of the power lines and had intended on giving them a wide berth, however, during a high speed fly-by, he became distracted because of a low engine coolant temperature. The pilot indicated that he did not follow his intended flight path, and didn't see the power lines until the last moment. The pilot stated that he rolled the helicopter to a near 90 degree angle and the main rotor blades collided with and cut the wires. The helicopter subsequently crashed in snow on level terrain. A dead power line was wrapped around the rotor mast. Two other live wires were "sizzling" and "snapping" in the snow nearby.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3275Q
- Reported as
- Schramm Helicycle
- Category
- Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number
- HC001
- Airframe hours
- 114
- Engine
- Rotax 618, 74 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Buford J. Schramm
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 25, 1997 · 22 hours before
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 58
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 973 total · 114 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 19 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N3275Q · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.