Accident · 2023-09-13
What the record says
- Event date
- 2023-09-13
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- No injuries
- Aircraft
- EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH EC135T2 (N273AM)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- Air Methods Corp. Matched by aircraft (N-number)
Probable cause
The separation of the outer span of a tail rotor blade during flight as a result of localized intergranular corrosion due to a diminished protective coating at a critical location on the tail rotor blade surface that, combined with cyclic loading, resulted in fatigue crack propagation initiated at a corrosion site.
Source: NTSB case ERA23LA369Flight 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 pilot flying | Airline transport pilot / Private | Helicopter | 53 | Class 2 (2022-11-08) | 5,867 total · 970 in this make/model · 5,728 as PIC · 18 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.