wings19 Senior Heliman Location: Traverse City, MI
| Got to the field and wrung out the Trex 600N to get the ol' thumbs warmed up and then to fire up the N9 for the first time.
Got the blades in track, didn't need any trim, sounded great and no vibrations that I could see. Just going to hover for the first tank to get the engine ran in. Went into idle-up and goosed it a couple of times to see what kind of power she had... Well, things got ugly at this point. The tail started spinning uncontrollably and she went in I didn't see it but another guy saw the tail rotor come off completely! I guess I didn't have the set screw in the hub tightened correctly onto the tail output shaft.
I'm pretty bummed but it could have been worse. Didn't do a ton of damage, with blades I figure I will be between 200-300 but I already have a tail boom, flybar, main mast and spidle on hand.
Nick If the wings are travelling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter |