Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Plaines, Illinois
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N123XZ
Accident Number: CEN17LA365
Date & Time: 09/16/2017, 1715 EDT
Registration: N123XZ
Aircraft: GADDIS MICHAEL EXEC 162 F
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On September 16, 2017, about 1715 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Exec 162-F helicopter, N123XZ, performed a forced landing to a field near Plymouth, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to North Indiana Rotor LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight departed from Plymouth Municipal Airport (C65), Plymouth, Indiana.
The pilot reported that while approaching the airport, the helicopter's engine rpm increased, and the rotor rpm decayed. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot conducted an autorotation to a field. The helicopter landed hard, the skids bent, and the tail boom buckled, resulting in substantial damage.
An examination of the helicopter by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the helicopter had a Pro Drive system driving the main rotor blades. The main rotor drive belt/cog belt began losing teeth resulting in a failure of the belt to drive the main rotor blades. The Goodyear Falcon PD belt had recently been installed, about 3.5 hours prior to the accident.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/04/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/16/2017
Flight Time: 393 hours (Total, all aircraft), 250 hours (Total, this make and model), 346 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 26 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 11 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
On September 16, 2017, about 1515 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Exec 162-F helicopter, N123XZ, performed a forced landing to a field near Plymouth, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to North Indiana Rotor LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight departed from Plymouth Municipal Airport (C65), Plymouth, Indiana.
Initial information collected by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector, reported that while approaching the airport, the helicopter's engine lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a field. The helicopter was substantially damaged during the landing.
The helicopter was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: GADDIS MICHAEL
Registration: N123XZ
Model/Series: EXEC 162 F NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: Private Individual
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOXI, 683 ft msl
Observation Time: 1715 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 15°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 6000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 200°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: PLYMOUTH, IN (C65)
Destination: PLYMOUTH, IN (C65)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.345833, -86.291944 (est)
Prior accident occurred February 26, 2015 in Plymouth, Indiana
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Bend; Indiana
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Accident Number: CEN15CA155
Date & Time: 02/26/2015, 1804 EST
Registration: N123XZ
Aircraft: GADDIS MICHAEL EXEC 162 F
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight the engine RPM of the helicopter suddenly increased to the point where the rev limiter activated. At this point the helicopter was about 700 ft above ground level and the pilot performed an autorotation to a baseball field. During the forced landing, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to its fuselage. Subsequent examination of the helicopter revealed that the main drive belt that transmitted engine power to the rotor system had failed.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The failure of the helicopter's main drive belt resulting in the pilot performing a forced landing, during which the helicopter's fuselage was substantially damage.
Findings
Aircraft
Engine/transmission coupling - Failure (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Enroute-cruise
Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail (Defining event)
Autorotation
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 46
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/09/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/04/2014
Flight Time: 169.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 58.2 hours (Total, this make and model), 124 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3.2 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: GADDIS MICHAEL
Registration: N123XZ
Model/Series: EXEC 162 F NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 6377
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/14/2014, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 8.5 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Rotorway
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 162f
Registered Owner: NORTH INDIANA ROTOR LLC
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OXI
Observation Time: 2355 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: -12°C / -21°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots, 360°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Plymouth, IN
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Plymouth, IN (C65)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: EST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.365000, -86.300278
