Armbruster MINI-500 N500GH

Summary

On 29 November 1998 at about 20:15 local time, a Armbruster MINI-500 registered N500GH was involved in an accident near Midland, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 November 1998 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Midland, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Warrenton-Fauquier (W66)

Coordinates

38.5903, -77.7200

Aircraft

Armbruster MINI-500

Registration

N500GH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Manassas → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD99FA023

1 person died.

the improper repair of the engine following a previous engine seizure which resulted in the loss of engine power over unsuitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner was flying his amateur-built helicopter and crashed in a wooded area. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the non-certificated 2-cycle engine had experienced a power loss due to a 'cold seizure.' About 18 Hobbs meter hours prior to the accident the pilot had replaced pistons, rings, wrist pins, rod bearings, thermostat and head O-rings. Metallurgical examination of the PTO cylinder walls revealed deposits from the side (piston skirt) of the accident PTO piston and a previous PTO piston, indicative of a prior cold seizure event. Although the kit helicopter was built according to plans, the engine manufacturer did not recommend several of the engine modifications found on the accident helicopter. Additionally, the engine manufacturer did not recommend the installation of this model engine in the helicopter and published the following warning with the engine manual: 'This engine, by its design is subject to sudden stoppage. Engine stoppage can result in crash landings, forced landings or no power landings. Such crash landings can lead to serious bodily injury or death.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.