# NTSB CEN15CA155: Gaddis Michael Exec 162 F, N123XZ, Plymouth, IN, February 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 26, 2015, 18:04 local (23:04 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, IN - Coordinates: 41.365001, -86.300277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3650&lon=-86.3003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - South Bend - NTSB case key (mKey): 90790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90790/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90790 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA155 ## Probable cause 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Main rotor drive: engine/transmission coupling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046310): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Gaddis Michael EXEC 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046310/cases.md?model=05610U3), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046310/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Gaddis Michael EXEC 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05610U3), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gaddis Michael EXEC 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05610U3), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N123XZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123XZ-2018-09-25), registration cancelled 2018-09-25, S/N 6377, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GADDIS MICHAEL EXEC 162 F (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Gaddis Michael EXEC 162-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/gaddis-michael-exec-162-f) (registry code 05610U3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6377 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: Rotorway 162f 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 14, 2014, 8.5 hours before - Departed: Plymouth, IN - Destination: C65, Plymouth, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 169.3 total, 58.2 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 15.6 in the last 90 days, 3.2 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 10 °F, dew point -6 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: OXI, 17 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20150226002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150226002949A), Feb 26, 2015: Gaddis Michael EXEC 162-F, Plymouth, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that after taking off from his parents house by cook lake on a northeast heading to return to C65 at approximately 3 miles south of the airport… ## Other investigations on N123XZ (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CEN17LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA365), Sep 16, 2017: Gaddis Michael Exec 162 F (N123XZ), Plymouth, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A failure of the drive belt for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90790. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.