Eurocopter AS350B2 accident near Houston, TX
On November 17, 2000, an Eurocopter AS350B2 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Houston, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 17, 2000
- Place
- Houston, TX
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS350B2 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.730°N, 95.421°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22284
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 16, 2000, approximately 2155 central standard time, a Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter, N126TV, was destroyed following impact with wires and terrain while maneuvering in the River Oaks section of Houston, Texas. The Fox 26 News helicopter was owned and operated by Helicopter Services, Inc., of Spring, Texas. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Dark night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The flight originated from the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), at 2145, and was destined for the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), Spring, Texas, located 29 nautical miles northwest of HOU. Two law enforcement officers, who were coming out of the Chuy's Restaurant, located about two blocks northeast of the accident site, reported observing the helicopter "flying at a very low altitude" northbound along Kirby Drive. The officers walked around the restaurant to the parking lot where they met another officer. All three officers heard the helicopter fly over the parking lot in a southwestern direction. The officers looked for the helicopter, but they could not see it due to the poor visibility. When the helicopter came into view, it was "banked to the right" traveling in a westerly direction and paralleling Westheimer Road. The helicopter continued in a downward direction, and then a "huge fireball" was observed. A witness, who resided approximately two blocks east-southeast of the accident sit
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with objects. Contributing factors were the dark night and low ceilings.
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Browse: Texas · Eurocopter aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
