# NTSB ERA25LA259: Robbins C/Robbins J Rotorway Exec 162F, N31XR, Towanda, PA, July 4, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2025, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Towanda, PA - Coordinates: 41, -76 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0000&lon=-76.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200465 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200465/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200465 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA259 ## Probable cause An in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of fire damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robbins C/Robbins J ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0562244), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Robbins C/Robbins J ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=0562244), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Robbins C/Robbins J ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0562244), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, about 20 minutes into a local flight, he observed smoke entering the cockpit of the experimental amateur-built helicopter while he was executing a turn. The pilot initiated a precautionary autorotation to a hayfield. After landing, he observed flames emanating from the lower aft left side of the fuselage, which quickly intensified. The pilot exited the helicopter and contacted emergency services. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site reported that the helicopter had been largely consumed by the fire. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the entire fuel system had been destroyed. A review of maintenance records indicated that both fuel lines to the fuel pumps had been replaced 13 flight hours before the accident due to a low fuel pressure anomaly. Due to the extent of the fire damage, the origin of the fire could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31XR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31XR), registered now, S/N 6771, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBBINS C/ROBBINS J ROTORWAY EXEC 162F - Registry model: [Robbins C/Robbins J ROTORWAY EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/robbins-c-robbins-j-rotorway-exec-162f) (registry code 0562244) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotorway RI-162F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotorway-ri-162f) (registry code 55007, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 6771 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 237 - Engines: Rotorway RI-162F 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 24, 2024, 13 hours before - Departed: 0PA3, Troy, PA - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 18,925 total, 215 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 24 nm away - METAR: METAR KAVP 042154Z AUTO 31008KT 10SM CLR 26/11 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP196 T02560111 ## 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 20250704009739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250704009739A), Jul 4, 2025: Robbins C/Robbins J ROTORWAY EXEC 162F, Burlington, PA, Destroyed. The following is a statement from the pilot: "At my home field, 0PA3, I pulled [privacy data omitted], a rotorway 162F, out of our hangar at approximately… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200465. 12.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19155912&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA259_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19156268&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20MOR%20LA259-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (excerpts) (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19155613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbook%20excerpts%20LA259_redact-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19156060&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA259-Rel.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.