Eurocopter AS 350 B2 N911ES

Summary

On 20 October 2013 at about 16:08 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 registered N911ES, operated by Metro Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Madison, Mississippi, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 October 2013 at 16:08

Classification

Accident

Location

Madison, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

32.5706, -90.1586

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350 B2

Registration

N911ES

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1992

Engines

1

Operator

Metro Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jackson → Winona

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14CA009

3 people had minor injuries.

The helicopter's collision with a black vulture during climb to cruise altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was climbing the helicopter through 1,300 feet when he felt an "explosion" in his face that knocked his visor up and affected both his visibility and crew communications. The pilot was eventually able to get his visor back down and land the helicopter, where it was discovered that both windshields were blown out, the center post and the cabin shell were damaged, the doors were blown open and onboard medical equipment was missing. On the ground, a crewmember stated that just before the event, he had seen a black bird fly toward the helicopter from above and left, but did not have enough time to call it out. Analysis of onboard residual bird feathers and a photograph of the suspect bird carcass indicated that it was a black vulture, which can weigh up to 4.8 pounds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.