Few Clues As To What Claimed Industry Legend

NTSB Identification: SEA04LA074
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 27, 2004 in Montour, ID
Aircraft: Schramm Helicycle, registration: N3275Q
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On April 27, 2004, approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, a Schramm Helicycle experimental/homebuilt helicopter, N3275Q, was destroyed after impacting terrain near Montour, Idaho. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual. The private pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Montour at an undetermined time.

According to an FAA inspector, an alert notification (ALNOT) was issued for the aircraft approximately 1900 on April 27th. According to local law enforcement personnel, at 0819 on the morning of April 28th the aircraft was located by search and rescue personnel partially submerged in the Payette River about 1 mile northwest of Montour, Idaho. It was also reported by the inspector that prior to the accident a complaint had been reported to local authorities of two helicopters flying low over a school and residential areas in the Montour area. The inspector also reported that prior to the accident the pilot had landed at a local store in Montour and purchased some fuel for the aircraft. The store employee reported that the pilot complained about a problem with the fuel system, and that when the pilot started the engine he noticed a flame/torch during the starting sequence. Under the supervision of the inspector, the aircraft was recovered to a private facility for future examination.

According to the inspector, both main rotor blades were bent upward with minimal deformation and remained attached to the main rotor mast. The tail rotor drive shaft and both tail rotor blades were not located.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20040505X00557&key=1