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
Dec 08, 2025	Lake Havasu City, AZ	C-GBZD	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 28, 2025	Chuluota, FL	N8318A	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter during takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Nov 15, 2024	Blaine, MN	ROTORWAY	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power that resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 14, 2024	Alva, FL	N99TE	Incident	substantial	A loss of tail rotor control as a result of unsecured tail rotor drive belt tensioner bolts.
Aug 18, 2021	Lindale, GA	N162LR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper judgment of the helicopter’s height above ground during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing with forward airspeed… The pilot's improper judgment of the helicopter’s height above ground during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing with forward airspeed and subsequent bounce and rollover.
Feb 01, 2021	Ledbury, Herefordshire, UK	G-JDHN	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 10, 2020	Kenansville, FL	N57AN	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.
Mar 25, 2018	Koblenz-Winningen, GE	D-HEDM	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 21, 2014	Mt. Comfort, IN	N6828D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s installation of an unauthorized main rotor belt and his subsequent failure to properly inspect the belt, which resulted in inadequate belt… The pilot’s installation of an unauthorized main rotor belt and his subsequent failure to properly inspect the belt, which resulted in inadequate belt tension, the belt’s failure, and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Aug 05, 2012	Colville, WA	N156RW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's lack of experience in the helicopter, which resulted in his failure to maintain ground clearance during the taxi hover, followed by inadve… The pilot's lack of experience in the helicopter, which resulted in his failure to maintain ground clearance during the taxi hover, followed by inadvertent ground contact and rollover.
Aug 06, 2011	Chino Hills, CA	N162CT	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of both the owner's and the pilot's failure to determine or monitor the remaining fuel… A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of both the owner's and the pilot's failure to determine or monitor the remaining fuel quantity during the flight. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's lack of fuel consumption rate data for planning purposes.
Nov 13, 2007	New Century, KS	N46110	Incident	substantial	While on approach the tail rotor spar failed due to metal fatigue .
Jan 17, 2005	Georgetown, GY	8R-GLA	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 15, 2003	Longview, TX	N212DP	Incident	substantial	The failure of the engine ignition system for undetermined reasons resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitabl… The failure of the engine ignition system for undetermined reasons resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for an auto rotational landing.
Jun 17, 2002	Concord, NC	N588JR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of cyclic while attempting a hover resulting in dynamic rollover.
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.
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 31, 1992	CHANDLER, AZ	N43385	Incident	destroyed	AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
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

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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