Sat, May 29, 2004
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.
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