Amateur-built EXEC 162F accident near Holley, New York, July 30, 2025
On July 30, 2025 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built EXEC 162F (helicopter), registered N843WB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Holley, New York (None airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the ground while hovering, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 2025 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Holley, New York · None · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EXEC 162F NO SERIES, built 2019
- Registration
- N843WB · registry record · serial 6437
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter was practicing hovering and maneuvering just above the surface of the ground, around a cone. The pilot stated that because he was focused on the cone and not the helicopter’s altitude, the rear portion of the right skid contacted the ground resulting in dynamic rollover. The helicopter’s tailboom was substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Dynamic rollover during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 747 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 602 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 30, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 119 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 24, 2024; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway 162 (piston); 119 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 28,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from KROC, 18 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KROC 301754Z 02008KT 10SM FEW044 FEW095 SCT150 SCT200 BKN280 29/19 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP168 T02940189 10294 20211 58005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Bottom View of the Helicopter Resting on Its Left Side
Photograph 2 – Top View of the Helicopter Resting on Its Left Side
Photograph 3 – View Showing Damage to the TailboomThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 20, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of NTSB Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.