Harding REVOLUTION MINI-500B N6144S

Summary

On 20 May 1998 at about 14:25 local time, a Harding REVOLUTION MINI-500B registered N6144S was involved in an accident near Grove, Oklahoma, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 1998 at 14:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Grove, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

36.5894, -94.7798

Aircraft

Harding REVOLUTION MINI-500B

Registration

N6144S

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA234

1 person had minor injuries.

The improper alignment of the main drive belt by the owner/pilot/mechanic, which resulted in the failure of the main drive belt. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While cruising at an altitude of 1,350 feet MSL, the pilot felt a 'sudden hesitation and [smelled the] odor of smoke.' While 'determining if [a] serious malfunction existed,' the helicopter experienced a loss of main rotor drive and altitude, 'along with a stronger burning odor.' The pilot initiated an autorotation to a field adjacent to a school. However, prior to reaching the intended landing area, the helicopter struck a pickup truck, 'flipped over, landed in [the] field and started on fire.' The pilot reported that prior to the flight he had adjusted the alignment of the main drive belt and engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.