Schweizer 300C accident near Randleman, North Carolina, May 9, 1994
On May 9, 1994 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Schweizer 300C (helicopter), registered N220MS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Randleman, North Carolina. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT THE HELICOPTER WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS WATER IN THE FUEL SUPPLY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 1994 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Randleman, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer 300C
- Registration
- N220MS · registry record · serial 51361
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT INSPECTION INCLUDED SUMPING THE FUEL SYSTEM FOR CONTAMINATES. DURING THIS PHASE OF THE PREFLIGHT, THE PILOT ROUTINELY DRAINED FUEL FROM THE SYSTEM WITHOUT COLLECTING THE SAMPLES IN A CONTAINER. AFTER TAKEOFF, AND A FEW MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, ENGINE RPM DROPPED FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND SELECTED AN AREA FOR A FORCED LANDING; DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND HARD AND ROLLED OVER. DURING THE POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER TWO GALLONS OF WATER WERE RECOVERED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,621 hours in all; 8,918 in this make and model; 355 in the last 90 days; 111 in the last 30 days; 10,421 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,045 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 18, 1994; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:44 pm from INT, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.