brewskies
Heliman
Location: Simi Valley, Calif
| Safety for all, please Read
I promised myself that I would pass this on to all. If this prevents one person from having the same type of thing happening to them, then I will feel better. I had an accident yesterday, in which I as a newbie; caught my hand in the fly bar paddle shaft that extends past the lock nut. Ripped the hand open in two places with 6 stitches later to close.
Have I got your attention?
I had my 30 size heli on a work mate, clamped down with out the main blades (I read some place that you should do your first tests on a new heli this way and it’s a good thing too) on as I wanted to do my first test run on the engine and mechanics. I was on my second tank of fuel with all going good, trying to set the idle. Things were progressing well and was able to control the engine rpm both up and down and back down to idle.
During the second run at about 1/2 tank of fuel, I had the heli set to idle. All of a sudden, the engine went to FULL throttle. I looked at the radio, and the stick was at the low or idle setting. I picked up the radio, and tried some inputs, but had no control. I then went to the side of the heli where the throttle linkage is, and looked at that. I noticed that the control rod was missing. (Actually the vibration set the harmonics so that it appeared to not be there. I reached down to move the throttle back to idle and engine cut off, when WHAM I was hit in the right hand just below the little finger in the fleshy part of the side of the hand. Never felt it.
I pulled my hand away, and looked, saw two GASHES, DEEP, and tried to think of how to shut this darn thing off. I figured my only choice was to pull the fuel line off. I went to grab the line, and when I went to pull, I also squeezed the line, and the engine shut off almost instantly. Went into the house, got my wife and went to the Urgent Care office. Six stitches later and here I am.
Now in hind sight:
I should NEVER have tried to reach for the throttle linkage. Just squeezed the fuel line to stop the heli first, and then solve the problem.
Up till the point of going full throttle, I was aware of the fly bar paddles, and was very careful around them. Due to the change in the operation of the heli I reacted with out thinking things through.
The paddles are black; I did not see them when they were at full throttle. I will add some white tape or something so they will be more visible when the heli is running. Thank God I did not have the main rotor blades on.
I will not panic next time, but sit back and analyze the problem and how to remedy the situation before taking action.
Going full throttle could have been caused by exhausted TX battery or some interference on my channel. Mechanically all else looked sound. Always top off the receiver battery before flight or testing.
Above all, respect this machine as it is no different then a power tool in that sense. Have respect for it and follow all safety instructions.
I am now a true believer in safety really always have been (just got dumb for a second or two); this machine is NOT a toy. Keep that in mind at all times.
Remember, think before you reach. Be aware of your surroundings, etc. etc.
Looking forward to comments. I know that I did a REAL dumb thing and I'm lucky to get away with just 6 stitches. I just hope this helps someone else out there.
Brewskies |
