Agusta A109 accident near Alexandria, MN
On September 17, 2016, an Agusta A109 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Alexandria, MN. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 17, 2016
- Place
- Alexandria, MN
- Aircraft
- Agusta A109 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 45.875°N, 95.398°W
- NTSB ID
- 20160917X62400
Official records · CEN16FA372
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Air Traffic Control/Radar Track: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 17, 2016, at 0204 central daylight time, an Agusta (Leonardo) A109S helicopter, N91NM, impacted trees and terrain near Chandler Field Airport (AXN), Alexandria, Minnesota. The commercial rated pilot and two crew members sustained serious injuries and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was registered to North Memorial Health Care and operated by North Memorial Air Care under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 as an air medical positioning flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The helicopter departed Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD), Brainerd, Minnesota at 0137 and was destined for the Douglas County Hospital helipad, Alexandria, Minnesota, via AXN. A review of the air traffic control (ATC) communications and radar data revealed that the pilot requested a clearance at 0135 and departed about two minutes later. Radar data indicated the helicopter climbed to 4,000 ft above ground level (agl) and flew southwest toward AXN. The radar data showed a generally straight and level flight with minimal altitude changes after the initial climb. The pilot contacted ATC and requested to proceed direct to KILVE, the initial approach fix for the RNAV (GPS) approach to runway 22 at AXN. The controller cleared the pilot for the approach and instructed him to maintain 4,000 ft until established on the approach. One minute later ATC lost radar contact with the helicopter and instructed the pilot to report when
Probable cause
The pilot's excessive cyclic input during a missed approach maneuver in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and spiraling descent into terrain.
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Browse: Minnesota · Agusta 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.
