Pop a link?

[Aviation addict]

Guys,

My Stratus went in this weekend and so far I'm not sure of the reason.

I was doing some (scruffy) tick tocks when it just rolled lamely on its back and fluttered to the deck in a random way (as a leaf would fall from a tree).

I've sent my receiver back to the Manufacturer for a health check today but am suspecting a mechanical failure, just due to the way that I basically seemed to lose the cyclic control. Just before impact I flicked into 'hold' which worked thankfully.

From previous (Raptor) crashes I realise that links can come lose at one end as a result of the impact - but one of the bell mixers had lost both the small double link and the long link down to the swash completely and there was no sign of them at the point of impact. I never found them in the long grass.

I'm confident too that I had the '7 to 7.5 degrees' of cyclic pitch. +10/10 of collective pitch (I spent ages getting it just right).

Does anyone have any comment? Can links just pop off while stick banging a machine set-up as per the manual or am I likely to find my Rx is faulty. What do you think?

Gutted.

[Gary O]

One of the things that comes with hard loading 3D maneuvers. I replace my links quite often just for that reason. Not saying that it may not have been receiver related, but I would really look over it good to see. After going in like that you definitely want to replace them all now. Also the balls themselves can get flat spots or just wear over time and they will pop off easier. I wish there were threads in the ends of t he balls themselves so you could put a small washer and screw in them so if they did pop off it could only be to the inside.

[Aviation addict]

I'll replace the links as suggested. The heli was a brand new kit only 12 or so gallons ago though with not so much as a heavy auto. The links were popped on there about 2 months ago and haven't been on or off since then. Will keep an open mind. Maybe it was a Rx glitch. Might never find out the cause. Strange to lose two whole links though?

[DavidH]

Strange to lose two whole links though?

Not really. I have had what I call gentle crashes and there would be two or three linkages missing from the rotor head. And I could not find them in the crash area. And I would know the cause of these crashes and it was not mechanical or electronic.

David

[Zilly]

Sorry to here about the crash John, was the engine still running at full steam when it rolled onto its back or was it dropping to idle?

z

[wjvail]

What servos were you using? Did you cycle the batteries when you got home? Just thinking out loud.

Bill Vail

[Aviation addict]

Futaba 9451's and the GY611's accompanying servo. Am using the Duralite 4000mah redundant 2+2 pack. I checked the battery voltage on and off load afterwards and under a 1 amp load it read 7.30 volts (7.99 Volts off load) so I'm confident the battery is healthy.
All the plugs were firmly in the receiver and associated sockets - Gov/Gyro etc.