Air Center Helicopters, Inc.

Part 135 operator · designator MHNA

Data confidence: Records are linked by certificate number, aircraft registration, or a name match that a reviewer has confirmed. Each record below shows how it was linked.

Also recorded as: AIR CENTER HELICOPTERS INC, AIR CENTER HELICOPTERS, INC., Air Center Helicopters, Inc.

Accident & enforcement record

Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.

NTSB accidents & incidents

Accident · 2002-08-02 Operator named in NTSB report
Bell 412 (N464AC) Fatal injury Part 91

Operated by Air Center Helicopters, Inc. (per NTSB report)

The congested takeoff and landing area and the low altitude flight maneuver performed by the pilot.

Source: NTSB case CHI02LA232
Accident · 1997-01-23 Operator named in NTSB report
Bell 206-B3 (N2047R) Fatal injury Part 91

Operated by AIR CENTER HELICOPTERS, INC. (per NTSB report)

The pilot's incapacitation by carbon monoxide from undetermined sources which led to his diminished ability to see and avoid a radio tower.

Source: NTSB case MIA97FA070
Accident · 1988-11-10 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL 206L (N16619) Minor injury Part 91

Operated by AIR CENTER HELICOPTERS, INC. (per NTSB report)

Source: NTSB case MIA89LA024

FAA enforcement actions

Civil penalty · 1999-02-10 Name match — reviewer confirmed
Drug & alcohol testing programAir carrier / commercial operator

Sanction: $11,000 · case closed 2000-10-25

Source: FAA case 1999SW910045
Civil penalty ordered · date unknown Name match — reviewer confirmed
Records & reports

Sanction: $12,000 · case closed 2002-06-14

Source: FAA case 2002SW190018

Maintenance disclosure history

Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.

Reports span 1997–2025. Most-reported systems: Fuselage (53) — 9; Nacelles / pylons (54) — 2; Stabilizers (55) — 1; Tail rotor (64) — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: OTHER — 12; VIBRATION/BUFFET — 1.

13 reports on file.

VIBRATION/BUFFET · 2025-07-23 Matched by certificate designator
N552AC · ATA 6410

Part: DAMPENER — BROKEN (T/R BLADE, BLACK) · airframe 1,685 hrs · 2,494 cycles

DURING A ROTOR TRACK AND BALANCE FLIGHT, THERE WAS AN ISSUE. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE FINAL MCP TRACKING STAGE, A MODERATE TO SEVERE VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGHOUT THE AIRFRAME. THE DECISION WAS MADE TO RETURN IMMEDIATELY TO THE SHIP'S DECK, AT WHICH POINT THE AIRCRAFT SHUT DOWN. DURING THE SHUTDOWN, A MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN CAME ON BOARD TO CONFIRM THE VIBRATIONS IN THE CABIN AREA. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION AND CROSS REFERENCE WITH THE HUMS DATA IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BLACK BLADE TAIL ROTOR DRAG DAMPER COUPLING HAD CRACKED AND SEPARATED, DURING THAT PROCESS IT HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE ROTOR BLADE ITSELF. THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL REMOVED AND REPLACED ALL BROKEN ITEMS.

Source: SDR MHNA20250723
OTHER · 2011-02-17 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5330

Part: SKIN — DENTED (BS 1655 S24-25R) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

RT, EXTERNAL FUSELAGE AT STA 1655, BETWEEN STR 24R & 25R, HAS A DENT. DENT FOUND OUT OF LIMITS PER SRM 53-00-01, FIG.101, DETAIL 3, PG.104. CLEANED DAMAGED SKIN PER SRM 53-00-01 AT RH EXTERNAL FUSELAGE BY BS 1655, BETWEEN S24-25R. FABRICATED A REPAIR DOUBLER AND INSTALLED PER SRM 53-00-01, REPAIR NR 16, AT BS 1655, BETWEEN S24-25R. THIS IS A CAT. "B" MAJOR REPAIR WITH THE FOLLOWING TRACKING; INITIAL INSPECTION AT 37,000 FC, THEREAFTER EVERY 3,000 FC.

Source: SDR FDEA201102170591
OTHER · 2011-01-30 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5415

Part: FITTING — CHAFED (LT PYLON BLKHD) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

(997FD/ 473AC) LT PYLON REAR BULKHEAD, LT LOWER CORNER IS CHAFED. COMPLIED WITH EA F-5450-146255: NACELLES/PYLONS-AD2003-18-05, EO F-5450-7-5010, NR 1 ENGINE STRUT AFT BULKHEAD REPAIR USING PARTS FABRICATED. REPAIR IS CLASSIFIED AS A CAT. "A" MAJOR.

Source: SDR FDEA201101300420
OTHER · 2011-01-30 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5412

Part: BULKHEAD — GOUGED (LT PYLON) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

LT PYLON AFT BULKHEAD LOWER RT CORNER HAS A GOUGE. COMPLIED WITH EA F-5450-146255; BULKHEAD REPAIRED USING PARTS FABRICATED. REPAIR IS CLASSIFIED AS A CAT. "A" MAJOR.

Source: SDR FDEA201101300421
OTHER · 2010-12-15 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5315

Part: FLOORBEAM — GOUGED (BS 365) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

FLOORBEAM UPPER CHORD STIFFENER AT STA 365 BETWEEN BL 0 AND RBL 60 HAS GOUGES AND CORROSION. REMOVED DAMAGE IAW SRM 53-00-51, FIG 101, DETAIL 3; ORIGINAL MATERIAL -.090", AFTER REWORK -.038", LOSS - .012", MORE THAN 10 PERCENT ALLOWABLE, OUT OF LIMITS IAW SRM 53-00-51, FIG 101, DETAIL 3. FABRICATED NEW FLOORBEAM UPPER CHORD, USING BAC 1505-100880/12, BATCH 1895840, IAW SRM 53-00-51, REPAIR NR3. REPAIR STRAPS FABBED ON TRAVELERS, T10/862191 AND T10/862192. INSTALLED NEW FLOORBEAM UPPER CHORD REPAIR IAW SRM 51-40-02 AND SRM 53-00-51, REPAIR NR3, AT BS 365, BL0 - RBL 60. (L=1", W=2", D=.012"). MAJOR REPAIR.

Source: SDR FDEA201012154689
OTHER · 2010-12-15 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5315

Part: FLOORBEAM — CORRODED (BS 1681) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

STA 1681, FLOORBEAM UPPER CAP LOWER SIDE IS CORRODED AROUND FLOOR PANEL HOLES. REMOVED DAMAGE IAW SRM. CORROSION DETERMINED TO BE OUT OF LIMITS IAW SRM 53-00-51, FIG 101, DETAIL 6, P 103; ORIGINAL MATERIAL .156", REMAINING - 090", LOSS - .066". FABRICATED NEW FLOORBEAM IAW DWG 146N5314. TREATED/PRIMED AND TOP COATED NEW FLOORBEAM IAW SRM 51-20-01/AMM 51-21-00-7. INSTALLED NEW FLOORBEAM AT BS 1681, LBL 58-RBL 58, IAW SRM 51-40-02. MAJOR REPAIR.

Source: SDR FDEA201012154693
OTHER · 2010-12-14 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5347

Part: SEAT TRACK — CORRODED (BS 418-440) · corrosion level 2 · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

RT SEAT TRACK AT RBL 24.75, BS 418-440, HAS SEVERAL NICKS, GOUGES, AND CORROSION. REMOVED CORROSION IAW SRM 51-10-02; AFTER REMOVAL OF NICKS, GOUGES, AND CORROSION, FOUND OUT OF LIMITS IAW SRM 53-00-52, FIG 101, DETAIL 7; ORIGINAL MATERIAL; .070", AFTER REWORK; .050", EXCEEDS 20 PERCENT ALLOWED, L=1.5", W=1". FABBED NEW SEAT TRACK FROM BS 418-440, RBL 24.75, MATERIAL BAC 1520-792, BATCH NR 1904663, IAW SRM 51-10-01. TREATED/PRIMED. INSTALLED NEW SEAT TRACK IAW SRM 51-40-02, AT BS 418-440, RBL 24.75. MAJOR REPAIR.

Source: SDR FDEA201012144666
OTHER · 2010-12-14 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5347

Part: SEAT TRACK — CORRODED (BS 418-440) · corrosion level 2 · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

MDC RT SEAT TRACK AT RBL 45.5, FROM BS 418-440, HAS SEVERAL NICKS, GOUGES, AND CORROSION. REMOVED CORROSION IAW SRM 51-10-02. AFTER REMOVAL OF NICKS, GOUGES, AND CORROSION, FOUND OUT OF LIMITS IAW SRM 53-00-52, FIG 101, DETAIL 7; ORIGINAL MATERIAL; .070", AFTER REWORK; .051", EXCEEDS 20 PERCENT, ALLOWED, L=2", W=2". FABBED NEW SEAT TRACK FROM BS 418-440, RBL 45.5, IAW MATERIAL BAC 1520-792, BATCH NR 1904663, IAW SRM 51-10-01. TREATED/PRIMED. INSTALLED NEW SEAT TRACK FROM BS 418-440, RBL 45.5, IAW SRM 51-40-02. MAJOR REPAIR.

Source: SDR FDEA201012144667
OTHER · 2010-12-14 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5315

Part: FLOORBEAM — CORRODED (BS 1661) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

BS 1661 FLOORBEAM UPPER SURFACE CORRODED AT RBL 58. REMOVED CORROSION AT BS 1661, RBL 58, PER SRM 51-10-01. CHECKED LIMITS; ORIGINAL MATERIAL - .125", AFTER REWORK - .110"; L=12", W=2", D=.015", FOUND TO BE OUT OF LIMITS PER SRM 53-00-51, FIG.101, DETAIL 3. REMOVED AND REPLACED FLOORBEAM AT BS 1661, FABRICATED FROM BAC 1518-338, BATCH 1918947, PER SRM 53-60-51, FIG.1, PAGE 5 AND DWG 146N5090. INSTALLED NEW FLOORBEAM PER SRM 53-60-51 AND DWG 146N5090, AT BS 1661. MAJOR REPAIR

Source: SDR FDEA201012144670
OTHER · 2010-11-30 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5315

Part: FLOORBEAM — CORRODED (BS 1640) · corrosion level 2 · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

FLOORBEAM UPPER CHORD AT STA 1640 NEAR LT SIDEWALL HAS CORROSION. REMOVED CORROSION ON FLOORBEAM IAW SRM 51-10-02,ORIG MATERIAL 0.125" AFTER REWORKED 0.015" AT LBL 60, MEASURED AREA,L= 3.7", X W=2.00", X DEPTH=0.110" FOUNDED OUT LIMITS IAW SRM 53-00-51, FIG 101, DETAIL III, REMOVAL FLOORBEAM STA 1640 BETWEEN LBL 70 TO RBL 70 IAW SRM 51-40-02, INSTALLED NEW FLOORBEAM FABRICATED FROM MAT BAC 1518-338, BATCH 1918947, IAW DWG 146N5089 AND SRM 53-60-51, FIG 1, PAG 5 (SHEET 5 & 6 AND 6 OF 7) MAJOR REPAIR.

Source: SDR FDEA201011304527
OTHER · 2010-11-30 Matched by certificate designator
N473AC · ATA 5315

Part: FLOORBEAM — CORRODED (BS 1640) · airframe 59,116 hrs · 20,705 cycles

FLOORBEAM UPPER CHORD AT BS 1640 HAS CORROSION APPROX LBL30-RBL35.

Source: SDR FDEA201011304529
OTHER · 2005-10-11 Matched by certificate designator
N2763N · ATA 5310

Part: BEAM — CRACKED (STA 120) · airframe 11,824 hrs

AN INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON THE UPPER BOX BEAM OF THE CABIN. UPON REMOVAL OF THE INSULATION BLANKET, MULTIPLE CRACKS TO THE BOX BEAM ASSY WAS DISCOVERED. THE AC HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 2 INCIDENTS.

Source: SDR 2005FA0001404
OTHER · 1997-12-08 Matched by certificate designator
N35RT · ATA 5521

Part: SPAR — CRACKED (ELEVATOR)

FOUND ELEVATOR SKIN CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED CRACKS IN SPAR RADIUS OUTBOARD HINGE BRACKET.

Source: SDR 97ZZZX5194

Linked aircraft

N-numberMake / modelYearStatusLink basis
N16619Operator named in NTSB report
N2047ROperator named in NTSB report
N308ACAMERICAN EUROCOPTER CORP AS350B32013Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N348ACAIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC AS350B32018Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N35RTMatched by certificate designator
N362ACAMERICAN EUROCOPTER CORP AS350B32012Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N372ACMatched by certificate designator
N412ACBELL 412EP2003Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N417ACBELL 412EP2002Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N451ACMatched by certificate designator
N464ACCIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N473ACMatched by certificate designator
N509ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2011Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N510ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2009Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N550THDASSAULT FALCON 900 EX2001Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N551ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2012Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N552ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2014Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N553ACAIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC225 LP2014Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N554ACAIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC225 LP2011Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N557ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2014Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N561ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2012Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N563ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2012Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N570ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2009Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N572ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2009Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N576ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2012Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N582ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2010Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N591ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2008Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N594ACAIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC225 LP2015Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N597ACEUROCOPTER EC 225 LP2010Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N59CHBELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N83149BELL 206B1973Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator

Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate

Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.

  • N2763N — records 2005 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N464AC (CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20) — records 2002 · registered to BLACK RIVER COMPANY LLC (owner ≠ operator)
  • N2047R — records 1997 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N16619 — records 1988 · no longer on the FAA registry