Mishap today in NC with model helicopter...

[avionicmic]

I once was in the Navy. We learned there that accidents happen, but they are all avoidable if you take out one of the string of events that lead up to the mishap. So we called them mishaps. Basically there is no such thing as a accident in the Navy because everything is avoidable.

Today I had the scariest day of my hobbies life. I will admit to you what happened with the idea that it will do some good for everyone that may read it.

I was going to the field today to fly my trex 450. I wanted to change the curves on my helicopter, but my garage is about 97 degrees F. So my first mistake was to take the helicopter inside and work on it. (I have three kids) I was in the process of checking my pitch to ensure it was good. So I engaged the throttle hold feature on my dx6i. I was being what I thought at the time was "vigilant" about where my kids were. I new the dangers and was trying to be as careful as I could.

I was focusing on my pitch guage when all hell broke loose with my helicopter. I mean it was so damn fast it was like a car wreck. 0 to at least 50% in .01 seconds.

I went to grab the head I guess ( I really don't remember) and got the hell smacked out my left hand before I disconnected the battery. Everyone is ok thank God, I feel like a real dipsh--. There are about 8 or so switches on that dx6i and my daughter found the t hold the first time. Everything here was completely avoidable. Never again will I (and I hope you) ever be in that big of a hurry!:(

[trident3]

I've taken to setting all throttle curves to 0-0-0-0-0 when I'm setting up the pitch of my helis... I know it's not as safe as disconnecting the motor but it's safer than relying on throttle hold.

T3

[Bob O]

haha had an almost identical incident. He got some minor injuries out of it.

Thanks for sharing your incident.

[avionicmic]

I've had a day to think about it now and take a good look at the helicopter (TREX 450 Sport) and the damage report comes to: one bruised left hand- a day that will live in infamey for my brain. For the TREX: 2 shattered woodys, one battery trashed, one tail boom distorted beyond repair, one severed belt, several broken/bent items on the main rotor,and one slightly damaged pitch guage. Worst crash I've ever had and it never left the ground.

[akshaw]

Glad to hear it didn't turn out badly, especially with kids around. I think we all have done one foolish thing or another when in too much of a hurry. Be sure to disconnect two of your esc connectors next time pitch needs adjusting. (I know if you disconnect only one you can hear your esc, but I'm not sure whether that would prevent the motor from starting.)

[klamp]

Might I suggest using an external rx pack with a switch harness plugged into the receiver. That way you can power your servos but not the esc/motor. This is all I ever use when I'm indoors. A nimh rx pack is about $10-$20 and jr switch harness is $7. A worthwhile investment given your concerns.

[superjoe83]

did the soft start not work?

[FatRat]

I locate my ESC so I can pull two leads from the motor whenever I work on my heli. This will disable a brushless motor. I have learned my lesson. My first BL heli had a crummy ESC without a softstart and went from dead to full on with an 'innocent' press of a tx button while programming. That scared the ever lovin' sh** out of me, and destroyed the heli. Luckily no one was hurt. Now I ALWAYS disable the motor before working on any of my helis. Ask any hobby shop guy, they will tell you they do the same thing. Either by pulling the motor leads, or moving the motor to disengage the pinion from the main gear.
SOOO glad to hear no one was hurt. This hobby is fun, but not worth endangering self and loved ones!

[T/CHunter2009]

Your Lucky : Read all of this : and check out the pics a few pages in. http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=229077 You always have to be on your toes with these mosters. There bite hurts !!! Glad the kids were in the clear and it wasn't as bad as it could have been. :noteworthy

[avionicmic]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. "The everyday decisions we make are what keep you alive-Arnold Swartsineger.

Klamp-Great tip, really great, because I don't have to unplug the hard to get to leads to the motor.

Superjoe83- No dice on the soft start. It was superfast man. Like when a marine wants to hit you fast.

TC- I can't imagine the 500 gettn' loose. The 450 was pretty impressive on my a$$ whipping, Your a lucky soul to my friend!

Everybody be safe out there, or we might hear about you as well.

[lasllcap]

I once was in the Navy. We learned there that accidents happen, but they are all avoidable if you take out one of the string of events that lead up to the mishap. So we called them mishaps. Basically there is no such thing as a accident in the Navy because everything is avoidable.

When I was a Navyite I heard it this way: A meteor hitting a car on the freeway is an accident; everything else is human error.