Probable cause
An in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of fire damage.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, about 20 minutes into a local flight, he observed smoke entering the cockpit of the experimental amateur-built helicopter while he was executing a turn. The pilot initiated a precautionary autorotation to a hayfield. After landing, he observed flames emanating from the lower aft left side of the fuselage, which quickly intensified. The pilot exited the helicopter and contacted emergency services.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site reported that the helicopter had been largely consumed by the fire. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the entire fuel system had been destroyed. A review of maintenance records indicated that both fuel lines to the fuel pumps had been replaced 13 flight hours before the accident due to a low fuel pressure anomaly. Due to the extent of the fire damage, the origin of the fire could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA259 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 4, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Towanda, Pennsylvania
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built ROTORWAY EXEC 162F
- N-number
- N31XR
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2007
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.