Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3 N423NM
22 November 2023 · Dodge Center, Minnesota, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 22 November 2023 at about 03:00 local time, a Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3 registered N423NM was involved in an accident near Dodge Center, Minnesota, United States. 3 people were on board and 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 03:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Dodge Center, Minnesota, United States
- Coordinates
- 44.0090, -92.7340
- Aircraft
- Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3
- Registration
- N423NM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2022
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Rochester → Fairbault
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night
- NTSB number
- CEN24LA053
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a flock of birds.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
During a dark night flight in visual meteorological conditions, an emergency medical services helicopter collided with a flock of birds about 1,100 ft above ground level. The impact shattered the windscreen and caused what the pilot described as an explosion. Despite the damage, the pilot was able to stabilize the helicopter and head towards the nearest airport, about 7.5 miles away. The helicopter landed without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the main rotor blades in the pitch control cuff area and the monocoque structure of the fantail.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Feb 2023 | Cessna 172S | Princeton, Minnesota, United States | Twin Cities Flight Training, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jun 2023 | Schweizer G-164B | Beltrami, Minnesota, United States | Gasper Air Spray, Inc | Fatal | 1 |
| 11 May 2023 | Loehle Acft 5151 MUSTANG | Hector, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Sep 2023 | Cessna 150K | South Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 2023 | Icon A5 | Onamia, Minnesota, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Mar 2023 | Socata TB21 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |