Amateur-built MINI 500 accident near Eden Prairie, Minnesota, September 9, 1998
On September 9, 1998, a amateur-built MINI 500 (helicopter), registered N6269R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Eden Prairie, Minnesota (Flying Cloud airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a design change to the fuel tank filler neck sealant made by the owner/builder of the helicopter. Factors associated with this accident were an improper sealant material used by the owner/builder and an autorotation was not possible by the pilot due to the hover-taxis low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 1998
- Place
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota · Flying Cloud · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MINI 500
- Registration
- N6269R · no longer on the register · serial 376
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The kit-built helicopter was hover-taxiing for about ten minutes according to the pilot/builder. He said '...the engine stopped unexpectedly [and the helicopter] settled to the runway and rolled over.' The on-scene investigation revealed a silicon-type sealant had completely blocked the supply side of the fuel filter. The builder said he had used this material to seal the fuel tank filler neck's flange to the fuel tank. According to the manufacturer's instruction manual, the builder is to 'Place a 1/8-inch bead of MA300 from the adhesive kit around [the] hole circle through the centerline of [the mounting] holes.' MA300 is an epoxy-type glue/sealant that does not break down when contacted by gasoline. The silicon-type material dissolves when it comes in contact with gasoline, according to the helicopter's kit manufacturer.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 119 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 59 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 9, 1998; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 840 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FCM
- Destination: FCM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.