On March 26, 2000, a Schweizer 300C (registration N698SM) operated by Skylane Helicopters, Llc. was involved in an aviation accident near New Ulm, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident occurred when an unsecured canvas heli-bag blew into the main rotor system during the landing approach. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An empty canvas heli-bag blew into a helicopter's main rotor during a landing approach, causing severe vibration, rotor separation, and a hard landing.
Incident Overview
A helicopter was transporting a passenger to a remote site to change batteries on a seismic recorder box. As the pilot terminated the landing approach to a hover at a skid height of 1 to 2 feet above the ground, an empty canvas heli-bag that was lying on the ground blew into the helicopter's main rotor system. The helicopter developed a severe vibration, after which the main rotor system separated. The helicopter then impacted the ground in what was described as a moderately hard landing.
Operator Comment
The operator stated that the accident could have been prevented by making sure that heli-bag is secure and that aircraft is a safe distance from bag and box.
Probable cause
The accident occurred when an unsecured canvas heli-bag blew into the main rotor system during the landing approach.