Aug 1, 1997
Accident
Substantial AGUA DULCE, CA
Injuries1 serious
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
failure of the owner/builder to obtain and comply with service literature from the kit manufacturer, which resulted in improper setting of the carburetor fuel mixture and led to loss of engine power. An additional cause was the pilot's failure to successfully autorotate the helicopter to an emergency landing. The pilot's lack of total experience in the type helicopter and lack of recent experience in performing autorotations were related factors.
NTSB LAX97LA269