Rotorway EXEC N8318A

Summary

On 28 March 2025 at about 21:00 local time, a Rotorway EXEC registered N8318A was involved in an accident near Chuluota, Florida, United States. One person was 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

28 March 2025 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Chuluota, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Pvt (pvt)

Coordinates

28.6269, -81.1036

Aircraft

Rotorway EXEC

Registration

N8318A

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2011

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA160

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter during takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot of the helicopter reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoff, hover, and landing maneuvers from his private grass field. During takeoff, he increased the engine power and inadvertently applied right cyclic concurrently as he raised the collective. Subsequently, the helicopter’s right skid dug into the ground, resulting in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its main rotor blades and tail boom structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.