Accident · 2008-04-15
What the record says
- Event date
- 2008-04-15
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 (N213EH)
- Operating rule
- Part 135
- Operator
- Era Helicopters, LLC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- ERA HELICOPTERS LLC
Probable cause
An in-flight overtorque of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft resulting in disconnection of the main transmission from the engine. The overtorque likely occurred due to an in-flight main rotor blade contact with snow-covered terrain, precluding significant main rotor blade damage and ground scarring. Contributing to the severity of the surviving occupant's injuries was the helicopter operator's failure to properly monitor their satellite flight-following system and to immediately institute a search once the system reported that the helicopter was overdue.
Source: NTSB case ANC08FA053Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Commercial | Helicopter | 39 | Class 2 (2008-03-05) | 3,747 total · 1,889 in this make/model · 3,684 as PIC · 47 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.