Accident · 2015-12-15
What the record says
- Event date
- 2015-12-15
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- AIRBUS Helicopters AS350 (N74317)
- Operating rule
- Part 135
- Operator
- Air Methods Corp. Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- AIR METHODS CORP
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of helicopter control in mountainous terrain as the result of operating the helicopter outside the performance envelope of its hydraulic system and encountering the servo transparency phenomenon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform low-level, high-speed maneuvers through mountainous terrain.
Source: NTSB case WPR16FA040Flight 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 | Flight instructor / Commercial | Helicopter | 51 | Class 2 (2015-12-08) | 2,117 in this make/model |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.