Aerospatiale AS350B2 N350CR

Summary

On 29 June 2014 at about 23:30 local time, a Aerospatiale AS350B2 registered N350CR, operated by Reeder Flying Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Dietrich, Idaho, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 June 2014 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Dietrich, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

42.9000, -114.2500

Aircraft

Aerospatiale AS350B2

Registration

N350CR

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1990

Engines

1

Operator

Reeder Flying Service Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Twin Falls → Rexburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14LA272

3 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s sudden incapacitation from a previously undiagnosed medical condition while in cruise flight, which resulted in his inability to maintain helicopter control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to position the helicopter and its installed camera equipment to the staging area of an intended aerial videography project. He added that the prestart, run-up, and hover checks were uneventful. While proceeding to the staging area, he climbed the helicopter to between about 800 and 1,000 ft above ground level. Shortly thereafter, the pilot lost consciousness, and his next recollection was waking up in an intensive care unit. After the pilot lost consciousness, the front seat passenger attempted to control the helicopter using the cyclic; however, the helicopter eventually collided with terrain. According to medical records regarding the pilot's postaccident hospital treatment, the pilot suffered a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness (known as a syncopal episode) while he was operating the helicopter. Postaccident medical evaluation led to a diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome, a heart condition, which likely caused the pilot's loss of consciousness and his subsequent inability to maintain helicopter control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.