N3375C

Substantial
Minor

BUSCHMANN ROBERT E HELICYCLES/N: 26

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 19, 2008
NTSB Number
NYC08CA252
Location
Stuart, FL
Event ID
20090211X92091
Coordinates
27.181667, -80.221664
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

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

Aircraft Information

Registration
N3375C
Make
BUSCHMANN ROBERT E
Serial Number
26
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
HELICYCLEFK9
No. of Engines
0

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
TRAN NGHIA H
Address
18771 PINTO LN
Status
Deregistered
City
SANTA ANA
State / Zip Code
CA 92705-2263
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC08CA252