Eurocopter AS350B2 N935EM
11 June 2013 · Talihina, Oklahoma, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 11 June 2013 at about 23:30 local time, a Eurocopter AS350B2 registered N935EM, operated by Eaglemed LLC, was involved in an accident near Talihina, Oklahoma, United States. 4 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 23:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Talihina, Oklahoma, United States
- Nearest airport
- Choctaw Indian Hosp Helipad (OK35)
- Coordinates
- 34.7567, -95.0842
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS350B2
- Registration
- N935EM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2012
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Eaglemed LLC
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Talihina → Tulsa
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN13FA344
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
The helicopter pilot's failure to see and avoid the 40-ft-tall lamp post during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight evaluation of the obstructions in the takeoff path.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The emergency medical service helicopter had been parked for more than an hour on a paved road next to a hospital. Immediately before takeoff during the predeparture safety briefing, the pilot discussed with the medical crew the 20-ft-tall metal lamp post to the helicopter's immediate left front. However, the pilot did not mention the 40-ft-tall metal lamp post that was 175 ft ahead of the helicopter and on the left side of the roadway. During takeoff, while traveling forward and following the center of the 25-ft-wide paved road, the helicopter's rotating main rotor blades impacted the 40-ft-tall lamp post about 24 ft above its base. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter, and the helicopter impacted the ground and came to rest on its right side about 230 ft from the takeoff point. The pilot reported that during the takeoff and before impact, he never saw the 40-ft-tall lamp post.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Eurocopter AS350B2 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov 2010 | Eurocopter AS350B2 | Pacoima, California, United States | Tiny Bubbles, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Apr 2009 | Eurocopter AS350B2 | Cubiri, Mexico | Servicio Geologico Mexicano | Fatal | 3 |
| 6 Mar 2003 | Eurocopter AS350B2 | Venice, Louisiana, United States | Taylor Energy Company | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Nov 2000 | Eurocopter AS350B2 | Houston, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 11 May 2000 | Eurocopter AS350B2 | Mesa, Arizona, United States | Rocky Mountain Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 2000 | Eurocopter AS350B2 | Patterson, Louisiana, United States | TEX Air Helcopters, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Feb 2013 | Robinson R44 II | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Crumpton Aviation LLC | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 2013 | Piper PA-46-310P | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | Chris Brown | No injuries | - |
| 10 Nov 2013 | Mitsubishi MU 2B-25 | Owasso, Oklahoma, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 27 Jul 2013 | Cessna 182S | Tecumseh, Oklahoma, United States | Oklahoma Department Of Public Safety | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Feb 2013 | Cessna 172L | Idabel, Oklahoma, United States | Texarkana Flying Club | No injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 2013 | Eurocopter AS 350 B2 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | EagleMed LLC | Fatal | 2 |