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July 19, 2008 · Buschmann Robert E Helicycle · N3375C

Stuart, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Stuart, FL
Aircraft
Buschmann Robert E Helicycle
Tail Number
N3375C
Operator
R & J Enterprises of North Carolina
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC08CA252

According to the student pilot of the amateur-built helicycle, he made an uneventful approach to a taxiway with a calm wind. About 1 foot above the ground, the nose started yawing to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to no effect, but was able to land the helicopter without incident. All instrument readings were normal and there were no unusual vibrations. Then, in an effort to move the helicopter from the taxiway, the pilot entered into a hover and applied right pedal to turn. The pilot continued raising the collective, and applied left pedal to stop the right turn; however, the helicopter would not stop turning. After the pilot lowered the collective the right skid hit the ground and collapsed, the rotor blades impacted the ground, and the lower portion of the vertical stabilizer was bent. The pilot subsequently determined that a fuel spill on the helicopter's drive belts resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to take off with a known discrepancy. Contributing to the accident was spilled fuel on the drive belts.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot of the amateur-built Helicycle, he made an uneventful approach to a taxiway during calm winds. About 1 foot above the ground, the nose started yawing to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to no effect, but was able to land the helicopter without incident. All instrument readings were normal, and there were no unusual vibrations. The pilot then felt he had to move the helicopter from the taxiway, lifted it into a hover, and applied right pedal to turn it. The pilot continued raising the collective, and applied left pedal to stop the right turn; however, the turning would not stop. The pilot then lowered the collective, the right skid hit the ground and collapsed, the rotor blades impacted the ground, and the vertical stabilizer was damaged. The pilot held a student pilot certificate for helicopters, but was also a certificated commercial pilot and flight instructor for single-engine and multiengine airplanes. The pilot subsequently determined that a fuel spill on the helicopter's drive belts resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWitham Field (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBuschmann Robert E Helicycle
Tail NumberN3375C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorR & J Enterprises of North Carolina
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsSolar · T62-T32 · Turboshaft · 100
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time15:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data