Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 N135LG

Summary

On 7 February 2017 at about 10:20 local time, a Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 registered N135LG, operated by Air Methods Corp, was involved in an accident near Beattyville, Kentucky, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 February 2017 at 10:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Beattyville, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

37.5578, -83.7061

Aircraft

Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135

Registration

N135LG

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2008

Engines

2

Operator

Air Methods Corp

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mount Sterling → St. Helens

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

ERA17LA103

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while landing, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the airline transport pilot, he was dispatched on the emergency medical flight to an accident scene about 35 nautical miles from his base operations. The pilot checked the weather, completed the risk assessment form, and departed for the scene in the helicopter. He further stated that he climbed to 2,500 ft mean sea level and noted the winds to be from the southwest at 35 knots. He stated he was comfortable flying in these conditions and had flown in similar wind conditions several times before. The pilot stated that he was cautious of electrical wires that were next to the intended landing helipad. He came over the wires at 100 ft to clear them and then started to descend the helicopter at a rate of about 200 ft per minute. As the helicopter approached the ground, he increased the collective but was unable to slow the descent. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and rolled onto its right side. The pilot stated that there were no known mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter before the accident. Thus, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain helicopter control while landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.