# NTSB IAD98LA014: Jones Mini 500, N8015E, Bluefield, WV, November 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 27, 1997, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Bluefield, WV - Coordinates: 37.260005, -81.210327 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2600&lon=-81.2103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28268 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28268/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA014 ## Probable cause Pilot's unfamiliarity with reciprocating engine powered helicopter lead to a reduction in main rotor rpm and subsequent uncontrolled rate of descent with insufficient altitude to recover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft handling - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis On a local flight to 'balance and adjust the flight controls,' the pilot took off down wind and climbed to 50 feet agl. He stated that 'after passing through transitional lift, the rotor began to over speed, so I reduced the throttle.' As he approached the end of the runway, the pilot 'slowed the helicopter down and started a left turn to fly down the runway to check the head balance.' As the pilot started the turn, he stated that 'I increased the throttle to the maximum, however, the rotor rpm had begun to deteriorate and the throttle would not bring it back up.' With insufficient altitude to recover, the helicopter impacted the ground collapsing the left skid, and rolled onto its side damaging the main rotor, tail boom, tail rotor, and the cockpit. The pilot stated that he had thousands of hours in turbine engine powered helicopters, but, was not familiar with reciprocating engine powered helicopters. The pilot had accumulated less than 10 hours in this helicopter. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 1997, approximately 1430 eastern standard time, a Jones Mini 500, N8015E, sustained substantial damage when the experimental helicopter impacted the ground while maneuvering at Mercer County Airport, Bluefield, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot/builder received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to "balance and adjust the flight controls." While air taxiing, the pilot took off down wind and climbed to 50 feet agl. The pilot stated that "after passing through transitional lift, the rotor began to over speed, so I reduced the throttle to maintain the rotor in the mid green." The pilot reported that he continued and as he approached the end of the runway, "I slowed the helicopter down and started a left turn with the intention of flying down runway to check the head balance." The pilot stated that, "as I started the turn I increased the throttle to the maximum, however, the rotor rpm had deteriorated and the throttle would not bring it back up." The pilot reported that he did not have sufficient altitude to unload the rotor and upon ground impact, the helicopter's left skid collapsed, rolling the helicopter onto its side damaging the main rotor, tail boom, tail rotor, and the cockpit. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he had thousands of hours in turbine powered helicopters, and approximately 10 hours in reciprocating engine powered helicopters. The FAA Inspector examined the wreckage. The examination confirmed flight control continuity and no mechanical malfunction was found in the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8015E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8015E-2006-09-22), registration cancelled 2006-09-22, S/N 300, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jones MINI 500 - Registry model: [Jones Harold E MINI-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-harold-e-mini-500) (registry code 056046N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 300 - Airframe hours: 10 - Engines: Rotax 582 67 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harold E. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: BLF - Airport: BLF, Bluefield/Mercer County, runway 23, 4,742 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,708 total, 10 in this make and model, 7,400 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLF ## 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 19971127035799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971127035799A), Nov 27, 1997: Amtr MINI500, Bluefield, WV, Substantial damage. Flight to balance and asjust controls. Rotor overspeed. Turned back. Allowed rotor decay. Folded skid landing. 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.