Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 accident near Norfolk, NE
On June 21, 2002, an Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Norfolk, NE. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 21, 2002
- Place
- Norfolk, NE
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.985°N, 97.435°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020701X01007
Official records · CHI02FA174
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Transcript of Dispatch Communications: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 21, 2002, at 1207 central daylight time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B2, N852HW, operated by Rocky Mountain Holdings LLC (RMH), as LifeNet flight 12, experienced a loss of control and collision with the terrain at the Karl Stefan Memorial Airport (OFK), Norfolk, Nebraska. The commercial rated pilot, paramedic, and flight nurse were all fatally injured. The Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions on a company flight plan. The flight originated from the helipad at the Faith Regional West Hospital (NE68), in Norfolk, Nebraska, at 1200. N852HW was based at the Faith Regional Health Services West Campus Heliport (NE68) in Norfolk, Nebraska. NE68 is located approximately 2.5 miles north-northwest from OFK. The purpose of the flight was to fly to St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill, Nebraska, to pick up a patient. The patient was then going to be transported to the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. At 1152:46, the pilot was informed of the mission by LifeCom dispatch. At 1201:20, the pilot radioed the LifeCom dispatcher and reported that he had departed. At 1203:25, the pilot reported to dispatch that he was going to land at OFK, and he asked the dispatcher to contact their mechanic and have him meet the aircraft. He reported "we're gonna have to land and get something checked out with maintenance before we can take this mission." The dispatcher began the process of locating the mechanic. At 1205:10, the pilot informed the dispatcher that they were experiencing "binding in the right pedal." This was the last transmissio
Probable cause
A loss of tail rotor effectiveness and the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors associated with the accident were the binding of the tail rotor pitch changed rod, the gusty wind conditions, and the pilot’s lack of total experience in this make and model of helicopter.
More accidents in NE
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Browse: Nebraska
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
