# NTSB MIA00LA092: Kitchens Revolution Mini 500B, N460AK, Hazelhurst, MS, February 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 2000, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Hazelhurst, MS - Coordinates: 31.860683, -90.390197 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8607&lon=-90.3902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48638 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48638/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA092 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation, by allowing the rotor rpm to become inadequate to cushion the touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing, and subsequent roll over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rotor rpm - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis At an altitude of about 200 feet agl the pilot attempted a practice auto rotation into a field. According to the pilot he lowered the collective, at a forward speed of 60 mph. He then reduced the throttle. He said, '...I think I was already in trouble when I began the auto rotation from such a low altitude...[and] I also don't thing that I had the collective all the way down because...the rotor rpms apparently began to bleed down without my noticing it...at about 50 feet agl I flared...then leveled and started pulling collective. The helicopter started violently shaking...which...indicates that the rotors were trying to stall from too low rpms...I couldn't stop my decent...I don't think I powered back up with the throttle...I hit the ground fairly violently...the helicopter...roll[ed] onto its left side...and the helicopter finally came to a stop about 30 yards from the point of initial impact.' Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical discrepancies. According the FAA's report, the pilot '...failed to perform the autorotation correctly and impacted the earth.' ## Factual narrative On February 16, 2000, about 1600 central standard time, a homebuilt Kitchens Revolution Mini 500B helicopter, N460AK, owned by a private individual impacted with the ground during an autorotation near Hazelhurst, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The flight had originated from a private helicopter pad at 1530. After flying locally for awhile the pilot attempted a "quick stop" maneuver. He said, after completion of the quick stop he climbed to an altitude of about 400 feet above ground level (agl). He stated that he, "...turned west...[and then] turned towards home...at this point I had descended to about 200 feet agl...flew past the power line right of way and was approaching a large rye grass field and decided to attempt a practice auto rotation down into the field. As I flew over the field I lowered the collective and checked my forward speed at about 60 mph. I then reduced the throttle setting to get the rpm needles to split. I think I was already in trouble when I began the auto rotation from such a low altitude. I am not sure but I also don't think that I had the collective all the way down because after reducing throttle the rotor rpms apparently began to bleed down without my noticing it. I was concentrating my attention outside the helicopter at this time and not paying enough attention to the gauges. At this point things are a little fuzzy as far as my memory is concerned because things started happening pretty fast. At about 50 feet agl I flared...then leveled and started pulling collective. The helicopter started violently shaking...which I now know indicates that the rotors were trying to stall from too low rpms. I knew at this point that I couldn't stop my decent...I don't think I powered back up with the throttle...I hit the ground fairly violently...left landing gear collapsed...the helicopter...roll[ed] onto its left side...and the helicopter finally came to a stop about 30 yards from the point of initial impact." The FAA inspected the wreckage and did not find any mechanical discrepancies. According the FAA's report, "...pilot was performing practice auto rotation. He failed to perform the autorotation correctly and impacted the earth." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N460AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N460AK-2002-08-27), registration cancelled 2002-08-27, S/N 0460, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kitchens REVOLUTION MINI 500B (REVOLUTION) - Registry model: [Kitchens Alan L REVOLUTION MINI 500B](https://openairdocs.org/model/kitchens-alan-l-revolution-mini-500b) (registry code 05607K7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 460 - Airframe hours: 52 - Engines: Rotax 582 68 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alan Kitchens - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,685 total, 52 in this make and model, 1,544 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 30 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 20000216010079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000216010079A), Feb 16, 2000: Hazelhurst, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot failed to perform an autorotation in a mini 500-N460AK correctly, helicopter impacted the earth. (.4)on February 16, 2000, about 1600 central… 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.