Amateur-built 162 F accident near Maybee, Michigan, July 4, 2024
On July 4, 2024 at about 2:43 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built 162 F (helicopter), registered N426DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Maybee, Michigan (Willow Run airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2024 · about 2:43 pm local time
- Place
- Maybee, Michigan · Willow Run · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 162 F, built 2010
- Registration
- N426DM · registry record · serial 6355
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that his preflight inspection of the experimental helicopter revealed no anomalies. About one hour into the flight, the engine and rotor rpm started to drop. When the pilot adjusted the collective and throttle, rotor rpm surged, and engine rpm began to fluctuate. The pilot selected a field and performed a precautionary autorotation. During the touch down, the helicopter’s skids dug into the soft soil and the helicopter spun, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, fuselage, and the tail boom. The pilot and the passenger exited the helicopter uninjured. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that fuel remained in the fuel tanks. Examination of the fuel-injected engine did not detect any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A roll of blue masking tape was found in the engine cooling shroud, but not in an area that would have interfered with engine operation. Given the lack of anomalies found during the postaccident examination, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 123 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 64 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 24, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 160 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 4, 2023; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway 162F (piston); 160 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: YIP Belleville MI at 1:57 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 am from KTTF, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTTF 041435Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/14 A2995 RMK AO2 T02720143
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.