Rotorway Exec 162F accident near Argyle, NY
On August 7, 2021, a Rotorway Exec 162F (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Argyle, NY. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 7, 2021
- Place
- Argyle, NY
- Aircraft
- Rotorway Exec 162F · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.210°N, 73.507°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210808103652
Official records · ERA21FA317
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On August 7, 2021, about 1800 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Rotorway Exec 162F, N162KJ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Argyle, New York. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness located about 1/2 mile north of the accident site observed the helicopter flying southbound at an estimated altitude of 50 to 75 ft above ground level. The witness stated that he thought that the helicopter was “having issues, as the helicopter could not stay up in the air.” The witness stated that it seemed “almost like [the helicopter] was bouncing” as it flew across a field. Just after the helicopter flew over a tree line, the witness heard a “loud sound” and “watched the [rotor] just stop.” The helicopter then “fell straight down.” A postimpact fire ensued. The pilot did not possess a rotorcraft-helicopter rating. His logbook included two 90-day endorsements for solo flight, the latest of which expired in June 2004. His most recent valid medical certificate was issued in 2000. In 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) denied his application for medical certification due to medical history, which included bipolar disorder and depression. The pilot completed the build of the helicopter in May 2003. Postaccident examination of the accident scene revealed a debris path that was about 400 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of 210°. The debris path began in an open field of 4-ft-tall grass with a 4 inch-by-4 inch fractured piece of
Probable cause
The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and the subsequent severing of the tail boom by a main rotor blade.
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Browse: New York · Rotorway aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
