Event CEN25LA013

Factual narrative

On October 11, 2024, about 1650 eastern daylight time, a Rotorway Executive 90, N314AC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Indiana. The two pilots sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The owner and his flight instructor were flying the helicopter so the owner could gain proficiency. While preparing to practice an autorotation in the traffic pattern, the flight instructor told the owner that he heard a noise. Shortly thereafter, the nose of the helicopter started to yaw to the left. Airspeed began to slow, and the left yaw accelerated. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and autorotated into a cornfield. The right skid caught the ground; the helicopter rolled onto its side, and came to rest on its right side. The main rotor and fuselage were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination revealed that the forward tail rotor drive belt was broken. The belt was frayed at the separation point. According to the owner, who is also an airframe and powerplant mechanic, the helicopter was in storage for several years before he purchased it in September 2024. A review of the tail rotor maintenance records revealed that after purchase, the owner inspected the tail rotor pulleys, bearings, bolts, and belt tension. He also greased the tail rotor slider. The annual condition inspection was signed off on the day of the accident. The maintenance manual for the helicopter recommends that the tail rotor belts be replaced every 250 hours, every 2 years, or as needed upon condition inspections, whichever comes first. All three tail rotor belts were replaced in January 2006 and the center tail rotor belt was replaced in September 2006. There is no indication in the tail rotor maintenance records that any of the tail rotor belts were replaced after 2006. The operator reported that before the accident the belts appeared to be in satisfactory condition but acknowledged they were beyond the 2-year service life and should have been replaced. The helicopter owner/pilot reported that while he and his flight instructor were practicing an autorotation, the flight instructor heard a noise. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter started to yaw to the left and the airspeed decreased. The flight instructor took over control of the helicopter and initiated an autorotation to a corn field. The right skid caught the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The main rotor and fuselage sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the forward tail rotor belt broke. The belt was found frayed at the separation point. A review of the tail rotor maintenance records revealed that the tail rotor belts had not been replaced since 2006. The manufacturer recommends tail rotor belt replacement at 250 hours, 2 years, or as needed upon conditional inspections, whichever comes first. The operator reported that before the accident the belts appeared to be in satisfactory condition but acknowledged they were beyond the 2-year service life and should have been replaced. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• — Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Maintenance/inspections-Time limits-Incorrect service/maintenance
• — Aircraft-Aircraft propeller/rotor-Tail rotor-(general)-Failure
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Maintenance personnel
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-Replacement-Owner/builder