Eurocopter EC135 N135WJ

Summary

On 17 June 2019 at about 21:12 local time, a Eurocopter EC135 registered N135WJ, operated by Air Methods Corporation, was involved in an accident near Cobleskill, New York, 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

17 June 2019 at 21:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Cobleskill, New York, United States

Coordinates

42.6869, -74.4828

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC135

Registration

N135WJ

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2003

Engines

2

Operator

Air Methods Corporation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cobleskill → Albany

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA405

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness during takeoff from a confined area, which resulted in the helicopter rotors striking tree branches.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter operator reported that, during takeoff, the pilot allowed the helicopter to drift aft during a pedal turn, which resulted in the main rotor blades impacting tree branches that outlined the confined area of the landing zone. The pilot completed the remainder of the flight without incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the antitorque gear box. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.