Reinhold REVOLUTION MINI 500 N500GQ

Summary

On 26 October 1998 at about 20:15 local time, a Reinhold REVOLUTION MINI 500 registered N500GQ was involved in an accident near Hickory, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 October 1998 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Hickory, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.7706, -81.3295

Aircraft

Reinhold REVOLUTION MINI 500

Registration

N500GQ

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Weddington → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA017

Nobody was injured.

The seizure of the rear piston in the cylinder barrel resulting in total loss of engine power and an autorotation which resulted in main rotor contact with the tail boom while touching down on unsuitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated the engine lost power without warning while in cruise flight between 500-700 feet. An autorotaion was made to a clear area with high vegetation. During touchdown on the previously unnoticed uneven terrain, the main rotor hit the mechanical stop and contacted the tailboom. The helicopter then spun around 180 degrees and came to rest. Postcrash examination of the engine showed the rear cylinder had seized in the barrel. The pilot stated this was the second time this had happened. The engine had accumulated 46 hours since being rebuilt after the previous failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.