Eurocopter EC135 N955AL

Summary

On 24 September 2025 at about 06:03 local time, a Eurocopter EC135 registered N955AL, operated by Air Methods LLC, was involved in an accident near Whittier, Washington, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

24 September 2025 at 06:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Whittier, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.3033, -121.3030

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC135

Registration

N955AL

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

2

Operator

Air Methods LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tukwila → Easton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

WPR25LA290

4 people had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On September 23, 2025, at 2303 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter EC-135 T2+, N955AL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Whittier, Washington. The pilot and three medical crew members received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated by Air Methods, LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight. The pilot stated that while en route back to the helicopter’s base, he received a request to transport a medical patient. The pilot received the scene coordinates and proceeded to the location. Upon arrival, he determined the coordinates were incorrect by a few miles. After circling, he established communication with the landing zone (LZ) commander on the ground and was able to locate the scene. The LZ was located at an interstate highway exit adjacent to the highway, and the surface consisted of gravel and dirt. During his initial approach, he opted to perform a go-around maneuver and then establish an approach from another direction. The pilot further stated that he communicated with the onboard crew throughout the approach about their view and obstructions. The helicopter passed surrounding treetops and light poles and continued to the LZ. As the helicopter descended, the crewmember positioned in the left-front seat communicated that she observed dust accumulating in the air, which the pilot acknowledged. The helicopter continued to descend and, as it neared terrain, the crew’s visibility was reduced by dust/dirt, which the pilot described as “brown out.” According to the pilot, he maintained visual reference to a light on a vehicle parked at the scene, but decided not to abort the landing due to the rising terrain and nearby obstacles surrounding the LZ. As he attempted to maintain the helicopter in a hover about two feet above the ground, the helicopter impacted a mound of gravel and rolled onto its right side. (See Figure 1). The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Figure 1: Accident location (photo courtesy of Federal Aviation Administration)

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.