# NTSB ERA26LA031: Proctor E Ray Exec 162F, N162RW, Athens, TN, November 4, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: November 4, 2025, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Athens, TN
- Coordinates: 35.399194, -84.561778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3992&lon=-84.5618&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA031
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA031

## Preliminary report

On November 04, 2025, at about 1400 eastern standard time, an amateur built experimental Rotorway 162F, N162RW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Athens, Tennessee. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the pre-flight and runup of the helicopter were normal with no anomalies observed. The pilot then departed the McMinn County Airport (MMI), Athens, Tennessee, for a local flight. After completing the flight, the pilot began his approach to MMI. The pilot reported that as he began to raise the collective to slow the helicopter for touchdown, the helicopter began a left turn. He attempted to arrest the turn using the right anti-torque pedal; however, there was no response despite full right pedal input. The pilot further stated that the helicopter began to drift from his intended landing position. The skids contacted the grass and the helicopter subsequently rolled onto its left side. After the helicopter rolled over, a post-impact fire ensued, consuming most of the helicopter. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Proctor E Ray EXEC 162F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05621CX), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N162RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162RW-2025-12-14), registration cancelled 2025-12-14, S/N 6988, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PROCTOR E RAY EXEC 162F
- Registry model: [Proctor E Ray EXEC 162F](https://openairdocs.org/model/proctor-e-ray-exec-162f) (registry code 05621CX) (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: 6988
- Year built: 2010
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: MMI, Mcminn County
- Equipment: None

## 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 20251104019849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251104019849A), Nov 4, 2025: Proctor E Ray EXEC 162F, Athens, TN, Destroyed. Small helicotper was attempting to land at Mcminn County Airport (kmmi) when direction yaw control was lost. Aircraft came in contact with ground and came to a…

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.

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