# NTSB LAX00LA311: Perrucci Randall J Revolution MINI-500, N7SZ, Gridley, CA, August 26, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2000, 09:06 local (16:06 UTC)
- Place: Gridley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.350776, -121.759002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3508&lon=-121.7590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA311

## Probable cause

The fracture and separation of a control rod in the cyclic flight control system.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control rod - fractured (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control rod - separation (cause)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

While maneuvering at 700 feet agl, the pilot of the amateur-built helicopter felt something "break" and the fore-and-aft portion of the cyclic flight control system became inoperative (disconnected).  He lowered the collective control, reduced engine power, and made a run-on landing in an open field.  During the landing the toe of one skid "dug in" and the helicopter came to rest on its side.  Postaccident examination revealed that a push-pull tube in the cyclic control system fractured circumferentially in the wall at one end near where a through-bolt attached the rod end fitting to the tube.

## Factual narrative

On August 26, 2000, at 0906 hours Pacific daylight time, a Perrucci Revolution Mini-500 experimental helicopter, N7SZ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Gridley, California.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight, which departed from the owner's property in Gridley about 0840.  The amateur built helicopter was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that, while making a turn at 700 feet agl, he felt something break and the fore-and-aft portion of the cyclic flight control system became inoperative (disconnected).  He lowered the collective control, reduced engine power, and made a run-on landing in an open field.  During the landing the toe of one skid "dug in" and the helicopter came to rest on its side.

Postaccident examination revealed that a push-pull tube in the cyclic control system fractured circumferentially in the wall at one end near where a through-bolt attached the rod end fitting to the tube.  The assembly was Revolution Helicopters part number 0165.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7SZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7SZ-2002-07-30), registration cancelled 2002-07-30, S/N 0098, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Perrucci Randall J REVOLUTION MINI-500 (REVOLUTION)
- Registry model: [Perrucci Randall J REVOLUTION MINI 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/perrucci-randall-j-revolution-mini-500) (registry code 05602F6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0098
- Airframe hours: 928
- Engines: Rotax 582 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randall J. Perrucci
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 22, 2000, 1 hours before
- Departed: CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 131 total, 87 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 162 °F, dew point 118 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OVE, 8 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 20000826011089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000826011089A), Aug 26, 2000: Amtr MINI500, Gridley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot randy perruci, the builder and certified repairman of this a/c stated that during climbing out at about 60 mph and 400 fpm, he lost forward and aft…

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.

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