How many accidents has the Rotorway EXEC had?

The NTSB has recorded 49 events involving the Rotorway EXEC: 7 fatal, 5 serious, 8 minor injuries, and 29 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Rotorway EXEC a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Rotorway EXEC has 49 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Rotorway EXEC Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 49 events recorded from 1984 to 2025.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (8 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Apr 01, 2002	Chandler, AZ	N21901	Serious (1)	substantial	The tail rotor drive system failure as a result of incorrect installation procedures by the manufacturer's personnel.
Jul 23, 2000	CIRCLEVILLE, OH	N651GE	Serious (1)	substantial	Pilot's improper decision to depart a confined area with two people onboard, which resulted in a loss of rotor RPM and collision with a utility pole a… Pilot's improper decision to depart a confined area with two people onboard, which resulted in a loss of rotor RPM and collision with a utility pole and wires.
Jul 16, 2000	TOOELE, UT	N6399L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a downwind landing, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the tailw… The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a downwind landing, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the tailwind.
May 13, 2000	ITHACA, MI	N962WM	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the door separation for undetermined reasons and the foreign object damage due to the door impact to the tailboom and tail rotor drive system.
Apr 06, 2000	CHANDLER, AZ	N21901	Incident	substantial	The inadequate maintenance inspection of the secondary shaft which resulted in its fatigue failure that emanated from a corroded circumferential score… The inadequate maintenance inspection of the secondary shaft which resulted in its fatigue failure that emanated from a corroded circumferential score mark. A factor was the fence that the pilot flared to avoid, resulting in a hard landing.
Jan 04, 2000	CHANDLER, AZ	N89678	Incident	substantial	the fatigue fracture and separation of the secondary drive shaft, which resulted from the manufacturer's inadequate quality control process.
Dec 17, 1999	GEORGETOWN, IN	N990JR	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty tailwind condition and the low altitude… the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty tailwind condition and the low altitude at which the helicopter was hovering.
Jun 05, 1998	NEW PORT RICHEY, FL	N162WM	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of the collective. Contributing to the accident was pilot fatigue due to lack of sleep.
Jun 04, 1998	LEXINGTON, NE	N132RS	Incident	substantial	An improper autorotation by the pilot in command. Factors contributing to this accident were the accumulation of ice in the carburetor resulting in a… An improper autorotation by the pilot in command. Factors contributing to this accident were the accumulation of ice in the carburetor resulting in a total loss of engine power, and the soft terrain.
Jul 16, 1996	ANCHORAGE, AK	N9297H	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's excessive control inputs and the lack of familiarity with the helicopter. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's failure to… the pilot's excessive control inputs and the lack of familiarity with the helicopter. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the prescribed operating limitations.
Jun 10, 1996	GRETNA, VA	N7182Z	Incident	destroyed	failure of the bearing assembly shaft insert inside the main rotor shaft. Related factors are the jammed rotorcraft flight control which restricted t… failure of the bearing assembly shaft insert inside the main rotor shaft. Related factors are the jammed rotorcraft flight control which restricted the pilot's ability to control the helicopter and resulted in a hard touchdown.
May 22, 1996	CHANDLER, AZ	N89678	Incident	substantial	a loss of engine power due to a failed piston and piston ring in a critical phase of flight.
Dec 28, 1993	SCOTTSDALE, AZ	N7456T	Minor	destroyed	A failure of the pilot-in-command to adequately conduct a preflight inspection and properly secure a fuselage cowling panel that struck a tail rotor b… A failure of the pilot-in-command to adequately conduct a preflight inspection and properly secure a fuselage cowling panel that struck a tail rotor blade, resulting in a subsequent failure of the tail rotor drive system. Factors in this accident were an in-flight separation of the cowling panel, and the inability of the pilot to effect directional control of the helicopter.
Dec 08, 1993	CHANDLER, AZ	N89678	Minor	substantial	THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FOLLOW THE AIRCRAFT BALLASTING PROCEDURES THAT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S CENTER … THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FOLLOW THE AIRCRAFT BALLASTING PROCEDURES THAT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE TRAINING FLIGHT WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Dec 31, 1992	CHANDLER, AZ	N43385	Incident	destroyed	AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Sep 08, 1991	PHOENIX, AZ	N7456T	Fatal (1)	substantial	UNDETERMINED.
Sep 02, 1989	PALMYRA, VA	N27TB	Serious (2)	destroyed	INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, AND FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.
May 29, 1989	ROSWELL, GA	N7043T	Incident	substantial	THE PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROLS WHILE IN A HOVER. ADDING TO THIS WAS THE PILOTS TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE OPERATING HELICOPTERS.
Jan 09, 1988	COLORADO SPRING, CO	N7007B	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jul 19, 1987	HIGHRIDGE, MO	N275FS	Serious (1)	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 28, 1987	GERALD, MO	N4891H	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 15, 1985	EL MONTE, CA	N2071Z	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 27, 1985	BETHANY, OK	N3071	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 11, 1984	CAMBRIDGE, WI	N2993P	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Rotorway EXEC Safety Record

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