Aerospatiale AS350B accident near Camp Verde, AZ
On June 30, 2012, an Aerospatiale AS350B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Camp Verde, AZ. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 30, 2012
- Place
- Camp Verde, AZ
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS350B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.444°N, 111.789°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120701X53951
Official records · WPR12FA282
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 30, 2012, at 1207 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter AS350BA, N729DP, was flying low through the Verde River canyon approximately 8.6 miles south of Camp Verde, Arizona, and struck a cable that spanned the river at a narrow portion of the canyon/gorge. The helicopter was registered to Chopper II LLC, and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Scottsdale Airport, Scottsdale, Arizona, around 0825. The helicopter was reported missing on June 30th by concerned family members and the wreckage was located July 1st. The helicopter was laying on its right side in 4-5 feet of water in the center of the Verde River. Vertical cliffs extend up from the river bed about 200 feet on both the eastern and western sides of the river. Approximately 300 feet north of the wreckage was a USGS streamgaging cableway system that spanned the river, and was elevated 39 feet above the river. The steel cable was found severed and the cable carriage located on the landing platform deformed. The cable ends were flayed consistent with overload, and the cable end located on the eastern shore had grey paint that matched the color of the rotor blades and composite rotor blade fibers were imbedded in the cable strands at the severed cable end. Radar records indicate that the helicopter departed Scottsdale Airport, around
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to fly at a low altitude through a river canyon, contrary to voluntary guidance within the Special Conservation Area, which led to collision with a cable. Contributing to the pilot’s decision were his cognitive and psychomotor impairment from his use of an antihistamine medication.
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 · Aerospatiale 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.
