Raptor 50 explodes.

[mile hi flyer]

I went out flying my Raptor to basically just hover and trim it out and about 2 mins. into a hover I hear a LOUD bang, like an M80 went off. Parts and pieces went flying with a rotor blade just missing me and going about 100ft. behind me. After I cleaned out my pants I went over to check out the damage and try to figure out what happened. The fuel tank was blown out the back and header tank about 10ft away. The canopy was thrown and battery, receiver, and gyro amp also away from heli. About 1/3 of the main gear was now smooth and the gear to the tail belt was broke in half. The boom was also mangled. I'm running an OS Hyper 50 and it seems to turn with no probs. I have no clue what happened and am just happy I didn't get hurt. Anyone ever experienced this or have seen this happen? I haven't started taking it apart yet so maybe that will reveal something.

Thanks for any help,

Mile Hi Flyer

[z11355]

headblock, main grip or blade failure

[islandheliguy]

By the sounds of it, you through a blade. I'd be interested in seeing the both grips as well as the spindle.

[chilipepper]

Any idea what headspeed you were running? Do you have the stock rotor hub?

[BarracudaHockey]

What type of blades?

[mile hi flyer]

Thanks for the replys folks. I was running the wood blades. Both blade grips are in tact and it appears that one blade did in fact seperate from the grip. This is the first time I have thrown a blade and was VERY surprised by the sound that it made. This is my first 50 size nitro helicopter. I had a very experienced heli guy set up my Raptor and had about 3 gallons of fuel through it. I have 3 T-Rex helis and I am doing mild aerobatics with them and inverted hovers. I can't wait to get another Raptor. I will definitely run carbon blades on the next one. Again, thanks for the replys.
Mile Hi Flyer

[BarracudaHockey]

Did you glue the grips onto the blades with 30 minute epoxy?

[flyinfool]

Where the grips glued properly to the wood of the blades per the instructions?
Do you know what head speed you were running?

Can you post pics of the grip and the blade?

[Rickenbacker]

Scary stuff. This is why I don't use wood blades. I witnessed a blade separation a while ago, and it looked to all the world like someone stuck a stick of dynamite in the helicopter and just blew it up.

[ClayK]

OMG, does someone, anyone have a video of something like that?!? Sorry about your helicopter exploding and all, but I'd like to see what it looks like....

I pulled wings off of flies and beetles when I was a kid. Ants and a magnifying glass could keep me occupied all day on Saturday....

[flyinfool]

Picture the funky chicken while falling to the ground.
The heli is junk before it crashes.

There was a vid around a while back where it looked like someone tossed a tennis ball into the main rotor causing a blade to break. Same effect.
The video was claimed to just be the heli exploding in air, but frame by frame looked like something yellow went into the main rotor. This was at least 5 years ago. maybe someone still has it.

[mile hi flyer]

The blades were glued with 30min epoxy. After looking at the blade that failed I noticed that the epoxy was tacky. I must have done a sloppy job in mixing and never got a full cure. It was also very hot outside which I'm sure made this worse. I wish I knew what the head speed was. I'll try and post pics.

Mile Hi Flyer

[mile hi flyer]

This is the blade that failed.

[mile hi flyer]

The pile of rubble as a result.

[z11355]

unfortunately, you learned a lesson from this.

it actually doesn't look like a total loss.

hint: always save the leftover of the epoxy and the mixing stick so you can verify
that it set-up properly. scratch the inside of the plastic things so the epoxy has something
to grab onto and after installing the plastic things and screws, use a vise or visegrip to
clamp them overnight.

did you cut the plastic heatshrink in that area first?

[DebianDog]

DO NOT RUN +2000 with woodies.

[ClayK]

Is that right frame cracked near the mainshaft top bearing stay?

To be honest, I expected the damage to be worse. I've seen worse.....

Your feathering spindle is definitely shot though :D

Couple of servo links, new blades, feathering spindle, boom, main gear, belt, most likely a mainshaft, maybe a fuel tank.... nothing big.... :badair:

Hope you found all your electronics.....

[mile hi flyer]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips. I plan on staying in this hobby for a LONG time and the info I get from everyone is priceless. Many thanks again.

Mile Hi Flyer

[mile hi flyer]

It took me over an hour to find the gyro amplifier. The main frame is toast. I'm currently checking all the RC sights and EBAY for replacements. Semper Fi, Clay. My dad was a 30yr Marine. He was a bit dissapointed that I went to what he calls the civilians in blue to fly.

Mile Hi Flyer

[ClayK]

Sorry about that frame. :( Serving your country is serving your country, it's all good :cool:

[mile hi flyer]

Couldn't have said it better. :cool:

[DebianDog]

People are CRAZY on eBay. I have seen stuff go higher than what you could buy it at Ricks (see banners) for about the same and have it in 3 days.

[mile hi flyer]

I'm starting to notice that, Dan. I just talked to a guy I know that has 15 helis and is willing to give me a deal on one of his Raptor 50s. He also has a Raptor 90 he wants me to look at. Not sure I'm ready for a 90, though. After I look at what he has I will probably post here to see if what he is offering is a good deal.

[DebianDog]

DO NOT BUY JUST A 90! I bought a 60 for my first helicopter and mistakes are expensive. If you do not mind spending the money then fine but a "good" crash cost me over $300 bucks one time. A 90 also covers a lot of ground rather quickly so it can get dangerous quick.

Now if you have the money buying BOTH may not be a bad idea fly and crash the 50 then when you master the move try it with the 90.

Heck I have a 90 sized with a old ass, bearing grinding, YS80 in it and it is still fast as crap. Kinda scared to put the new YS90 and pipe in it :oops:

[flyinfool]

That pic is the classic example of what happens when the grip is not properly glued.
That pic should be in a sticky for grip gluing.
As was mentioned above always keep the extra epoxy long enough to be sure that the batch set up correctly.

For having chucked a blade that don't look too bad.