- Date
- June 25, 1992, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place
- Missouri City, MO
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N500ZZDennis L. Fetters Mini 500
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920625024549A
- Case key
- 15218
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
An improper connecting rod assembly resulting in mechanical binding between the rod and the engine crankshaft.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot of the accident helicopter was performing test flights using various flight attitudes to change airflow patterns through the engine compartment when the engine lost power. The pilot stated he was too fast and too low to complete a smooth landing. During touchdown the helicopter landed hard and sustained substantial damage. Post accident inspection of the engine revealed the bore diameter on the connecting rod was incorrect where it attaches to the crankshaft.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N500ZZ
- Reported as
- Dennis L. Fetters Mini 500
- Category
- Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 0000
- Airframe hours
- 4
- Engine
- Rotax 582, 67 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Operator
- Dennis L. Fetters
- Registered owner
- Dennis L. Fetters
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
- Airport
- Liberty Landing
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 36
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 1,520 total · 4 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N500ZZ · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.