Gaddis Michael EXEC 162 F N123XZ

Summary

On 26 February 2015 at about 23:04 local time, a Gaddis Michael EXEC 162 F registered N123XZ was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Indiana, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 February 2015 at 23:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Plymouth, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

41.3650, -86.3003

Aircraft

Gaddis Michael EXEC 162 F

Registration

N123XZ

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plymouth → Plymouth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15CA155

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.