N500GQ

On October 26, 1998, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Reinhold Revolution Mini 500, N500GQ, registered to an individual, crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power near Hickory, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Hickory, North Carolina, the same day, about 1600.

The pilot stated that while in cruise flight at between 500-700 feet, the engine quit with no prior warning. He initiated an autorotation and made a left turn toward a clearing. Upon touchdown on uneven terrain, the main rotor hit the mechanical stop and then contacted the tailboom. The helicopter spun around to the left 180 degrees and came to rest on the back skids and engine muffler. The clear area he selected for the landing was overgrown with about 6 feet of vegetation.

Postcrash examination of the engine by the pilot showed the rear piston had seized in the barrel. The pilot stated to NTSB that this was the second time this has happened in this helicopter. The engine had accumulated about 46 flight hours since it was rebuilt after the previous piston seizure.