Eurocopter AS 350 B3 accident near Ash Fork, AZ
On June 27, 2008, an Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Ash Fork, AZ. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 27, 2008
- Place
- Ash Fork, AZ
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.190°N, 112.471°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080708X00989
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 27, 2008, at 0341 mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3, N586AE, collided with level terrain during an attempted go-around near Ash Fork, Arizona. Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI), was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot and two medical crew members sustained serious injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Ernest A. Love Field Airport (PRC), Prescott, Arizona, and was en route to a traffic accident. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed. The pilot and operator provided written statements to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC). The pilot stated that his duty shift began at 1830 on June 26. He reported that shortly after beginning his shift he completed his normal duties, which included performing a preflight check on the accident helicopter, and checking the current and forecast area weather. At 0310 on the day of the accident, the pilot received a dispatch notification informing him that a motorcycle accident had occurred on US Highway 89, south of Ash Fork. Five minutes later he was cleared to launch to the accident, and at 0320, he departed in the helicopter with a medical crew that included a nurse and a paramedic. The pilot reported that for the 20-minute flight he was wearing his Night Vision Goggles, and that the weather en route was clear skies with unrestricted visibility. He stated that he had an, "average to good ni
Probable cause
The pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in his failure to detect and compensate for an unintentional descent during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate choice of landing approach, reduced visibility from brownout conditions, and the dark night.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · 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.
