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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 12, 2005 · Johnson Revolution Mini 500 · N38DJ

Isabela, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Isabela, PR
Aircraft
Johnson Revolution Mini 500
Tail Number
N38DJ
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05LA032

The pilot was conducting a personal flight in a single-seat experimental helicopter under 14 CFR Part 91 when the helicopter had a loss of engine power. The pilot entered an autorotation to a construction site, and during the approach to land, he had to maneuver away from power lines. After clearing the power lines, the rotor rpm was too low to flare the helicopter, and it impacted the ground. The pilot said due to the extensive damage, he was not able to determine why the engine lost power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an autorotation and collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On February 12, 2005, about 1540 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur built Johnson Revolution Mini 500 helicopter, N38DJ, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain following a loss of engine power, and subsequent emergency descent and landing at Isabela, Puerto Rico. The helicopter was being operated by the pilot as a local visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on February 13, the FAA aviation safety inspector who interviewed the pilot said the pilot told him the helicopter had a loss of engine power for an unknown reason. The pilot reported he attempted an autorotation to a building construction site, but had to maneuver hard to miss power lines. The pilot said that during the maneuver, the rotor rpm dropped, and he was unable to stop the descent prior to the collision with terrain. He said the helicopter sustained structural damage to the fuselage and rotor system. In a written statement to the NTSB dated May 19, the pilot said due to the extensive damage to the helicopter, he was unable to determine why the engine lost power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 AST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftJohnson Revolution Mini 500
Tail NumberN38DJ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582 · Reciprocating · 67
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data