Smith Richard D Jr REVOLUTION MINI 500 N118NR

Summary

On 7 April 2010 at about 20:22 local time, a Smith Richard D Jr REVOLUTION MINI 500 registered N118NR, operated by Smith Richard David JR, was involved in an accident near Middleboro, Massachusetts, 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

7 April 2010 at 20:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Middleboro, Massachusetts, United States

Coordinates

41.9044, -70.9522

Aircraft

Smith Richard D Jr REVOLUTION MINI 500

Registration

N118NR

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Smith Richard David JR

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plymonth → Plymouth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA216

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine coolant, which resulted in a loss of engine power during the pilot’s attempt to cushion a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was a disconnected engine coolant hose and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a 50-minute flight the helicopter pilot observed the engine coolant temperature and the exhaust gas temperature increase. The pilot attempted a precautionary landing to a field; however, as he was adding power to cushion the landing, the engine lost power due to overheating. The helicopter then landed hard and rolled over. Postflight examination of the helicopter revealed that a coolant hose was disconnected and corrosion was noted on the radiator fins, indicating that leakage had occurred over a period of time. No coolant or coolant residue was found during the engine examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.