Eurocopter EC135 accident near Pompano Beach, FL
On August 28, 2023, an Eurocopter EC135 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Pompano Beach, FL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 28, 2023
- Place
- Pompano Beach, FL
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter EC135 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 26.240°N, 80.122°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230828192950
Official records · ERA23FA352
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Excerpt From ATC Audio - Pmp Tower At 1241z (3 Minutes, 44 Seconds; Mp3, 593 Kb): Audio recording (MP3), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 28, 2023, about 0844 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter (Airbus Helicopters) Deutschland GMBH EC135T1, N109BC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pompano Beach, Florida. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. One paramedic onboard and a resident of an apartment building were fatally injured, while a second paramedic onboard was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight. The pilot reported that the helicopter was dispatched to transport a patient from the scene of an automobile accident. About 90 seconds after liftoff and during initial climb, west of Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida, about 300 to 400 ft above ground level, the pilot heard a “bang” from the rear of the helicopter and noticed that the turbine outlet temperature (TOT) was rising on the No. 1 engine, but was still within limits. Prior to the “bang,” the pilot did not recall seeing or hearing any cockpit caution or warning indicators. He set the No.1 engine throttle to idle, declared an emergency to air traffic control, and reversed direction to return to the airport. He scanned the cockpit instrument panel and noticed that the No.1 engine fire button had illuminated. The pilot further stated that he pressed the button to activate the fire suppression system; however, the TOT continued to rise near 1,000° C on the No. 1 engine (maximum limit 895°C). The pilot subsequently heard a second “bang” and was unable to control the helicopter. It spun and descended into an
Probable cause
An inflight fire outside of the engine firewalls, likely from overheating of the No. 1 engine for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a partial tailboom separation.
More accidents in FL
- Grumman G-73T, Dec 19, 2005
- Beech B90, Jan 5, 1994
- Beech B-90, Sep 3, 1999
- Cessna 182B, Feb 7, 1982
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47, Jun 7, 2012
Browse: Florida · 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.
