# NTSB FTW97LA339: Roddie MINI-500, N42JR, Idabel, OK, September 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1997, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Idabel, OK - Coordinates: 33.90002, -94.809722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9000&lon=-94.8097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA339 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20338/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA339 ## Probable cause The loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis A witness, who was a close friend of the pilot and assisted building the helicopter, observed the aircraft operating approximately 2,000 feet above ground level and about 500 feet from the approach end of runway 35. He then heard the engine slow down and go into 'negative pitch mode.' The witness observed the helicopter in a nose low attitude and then heard a loud boom. He said that the helicopter came to a stop and then he saw pieces falling off the helicopter. The 25,000 hour career airline captain had about 6 hours of total flight time in helicopters. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1997, at 1330 central daylight time, a Roddie Mini-500, homebuilt helicopter, N42JR, registered to, and operated by the pilot/builder, was destroyed while maneuvering near Idabel Airport, Idabel, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Idabel Airport at 1300. A witness, who was located at the airport, and helped build the helicopter reported that the pilot performed a run-up on the ground before departing. The witness stated that the aircraft was operating approximately 2,000 feet above ground level and about 500 feet from the approach end of runway 35. He then heard the engine slow down and the rotors go into the negative pitch mode. The witness observed the aircraft in a nose low attitude and then heard a loud boom. He said that the helicopter came to a stop and then he saw pieces falling off the helicopter. The main fuselage came to rest on its right side, 1,300 feet from the approach end runway 35. The instrument panel was found 157 feet south of the main fuselage. The tail rotor, including the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, came to rest about 400 feet south of the main fuselage. A close friend of the pilot, who also assisted in manufacturing the kit helicopter, reported that new rotor blades were installed on the day prior to the accident. He also stated that Mr. Roddie had test flown the aircraft after the installation and Mr. Roddie reported that the helicopter was "flying excellently." Another airline pilot, who built and flew his own Mini-500, served as the test pilot for Mr. Roddies' helicopter. The test pilot had 75 hours in the Mini-500. He previously performed one autorotation in Mr. Roddies' Mini-500 and reported it did "just fine." The 62 year old pilot, who was 25,000 hour career airline captain, had about 6 hours of total helicopter flight time. At the request of the family, an autopsy and toxicology tests were not performed. Family members reported that the pilot was in excellent health. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42JR-2000-01-08), registration cancelled 2000-01-08, S/N 0259 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Roddie MINI-500 - Registry model: [Roddie Jackson MINI-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/roddie-jackson-mini-500) (registry code 05604G2) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 0259 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: Rotax 582 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jackson Roddie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Airport: F62, Idabel Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; military, flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 25,000 total, 6 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 8 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KTX, 49 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970909025999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970909025999A), Sep 9, 1997: Amtr MINI500, Idabel, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried first autorotation in homebuilt helicopter. Lost control. Destroyed on ground impact. Inadequate check out.(.4) a witness, who was a close friend of the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.