What happened
On November 16, 2008, a pilot was conducting a formation flight near Nordhorn-Lingen, Germany, to capture aerial footage of his Rotorway Exec 162F helicopter. The flight began at Teuge, Netherlands, with the intention of demonstrating the aircraft to a former flight instructor. The formation consisted of the Rotorway Exec 162F following a Robinson R44.
At approximately 12:44 local time, while flying at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet, the instructor in the R44 attempted to switch radio frequencies to coordinate the filming. During this frequency change, the instructor lost visual contact with the following aircraft. Video footage from the R44 confirmed that the Rotorway Exec 162F climbed and disappeared behind the lead helicopter. Shortly thereafter, a witness on the ground reported hearing two loud metallic bangs and seeing a helicopter shedding parts in the air before crashing into a field. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 100 meters from a witness and was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the structural failure of the aircraft. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the tail boom had been severed and the tail rotor assembly was found approximately 74 meters from the main wreckage. Evidence, including paint transfers on a rotor blade and the tail rotor drive belt, indicated that the main rotor had struck the tail boom.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while he held a valid private pilot license, he had very limited flight hours on this specific model and had not flown since completing his type training months prior. The engine was examined, and no mechanical engine failure was identified. Due to the intense heat of the post-crash fire, data from the engine's electronic control units could not be retrieved.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the in-flight breakup of the helicopter caused by the main rotor striking the tail boom.
- The specific initiating cause—whether a pilot error, a technical failure, or an emergency maneuver—could not be definitively determined.
- The pilot had very low experience with the Rotorway Exec 162F and was operating a homebuilt aircraft in its experimental phase.
- The aircraft's two-bladed, semi-rigid rotor system is known to be susceptible to tail boom strikes during certain maneuvers or sudden changes in rotor speed.