American Eurocopter Llc AS 350 B3 accident near Tucson, AZ
On July 28, 2010, an American Eurocopter Llc AS 350 B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Tucson, AZ. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 28, 2010
- Place
- Tucson, AZ
- Aircraft
- American Eurocopter Llc AS 350 B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.256°N, 110.957°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100728X92614
Official records · WPR10FA371
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Operations 2 - Attachment 6 - Operational Control Center audio recordings: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Operations 2 - Attachment 7 - TRACON communication recordings: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 11. Air Methods Lead Mechanic Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 12. Air Methods Mechanic Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
- Maintenance Records 11 - Attachment 14. Helicopter Services of Nevada Technician Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 28, 2010, at 1342 mountain standard time, an American Eurocopter AS 350 B3, N509AM, descended rapidly and collided with terrain in an urban area of Tucson, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Air Methods Corporation, as LifeNet 12, on a repositioning flight, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and two medical flight crew members were fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and consumed by a post impact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The repositioning flight originated at the Marana Regional Airport, Tucson, at 1332, and the intended destination was the Air Methods base in Douglas, Arizona. Witnesses reported observing the helicopter flying steadily in a southeast direction when it started to descend rapidly. Witnesses also stated that the helicopter made some unusual ‘whump, whump’ sounds, and rapid intermittent popping sounds, which were followed by unusual quietness as the helicopter descended. As the helicopter turned and got closer to the ground its flight trajectory became increasingly vertical. The helicopter impacted a 5-foot-high concrete wall and was consumed by a post impact fire. The accident helicopter (N509AM) was positioned at the Marana Regional Airport on July 24 to undergo engine maintenance related to a fuel coking problem. The helicopter’s engine was removed, and the fuel manifold was removed and replaced. This process involved removing all the external engine piping and harnesses, separating
Probable cause
The repair station technician did not properly install the fuel inlet union during reassembly of the engine; the operator’s maintenance personnel did not adequately inspect the technician's work; and the pilot who performed the post maintenance check flight did not follow the helicopter manufacturer's procedures. Also causal were the lack of requirements by the Federal Aviation Administration, the
More accidents in AZ
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Browse: Arizona
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
