Eurocopter to supply EC225 and AS350B3e to China’s State Grid General Aviation Company
Source: Eurocopter, 22-May-13
China’s largest helicopter operator in the power and electricity sectors, the State Grid General Aviation Company (SGGAC), has ordered one EC225 and two AS350 B3e rotorcraft to support the country’s electrical grid development and build the Chinese company’s business into other airlift duties. As the wholly-owned subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China, one of [...]
SHG receives its 70th Eurocopter
Source: Nordic Rotors, 21-May-13
The Swedish helicopter service provider Scandinavian Helicopter Group AB (SHG) has taken delivery of its 70th Eurocopter aircraft. The helicopter, a brand new AS 350 B3e, was handed over in a ceremony at the Marignane production plant in Marseilles, southern France, last week. Eurocopter celebrated the momentous occasion together with three generations of the Pihl [...]
New Helicopter Base in Valdosta Aimed at Saving Lives
Source: WCTV.TV, 21-May-13
The view from a helicopter in the air can be breathtaking, but it can also help breathe life into those riding inside. Because when lives are on the line, time can be the greatest enemy. (See Full Story)
Sky Tech joins Turbomeca Certified Maintenance Center Network
Source: Turbomeca, 16-May-13
Turbomeca (Safran) announces the qualification of Sky Tech LLP, as Certified Maintenance Center (Level 1&2) in Kazakhstan for Turbomeca Arriel 2B/2B1/2D and Arriel 1E2 engines, respectively powering EC130, AS350 and EC145 helicopters. The company’s facilities are located at Airport Boraldai – Almaty Region. “The company had been carefully selected to support Turbomeca customers in the [...]
RSG delivers newly completed AS350B3e to Guatemala
Source: RSG Aviation, 16-May-13
RSG Aviation, Inc., an industry leader in helicopter and aircraft completions and MRO services recently finalized an extensive completion on a new Eurocopter AS350B3e helicopter. The project was completed for a loyal and long term customer, who for many generations operates the largest coffee plantation in Guatemala. The customer requested and received the following: New state-of-the- art [...]
ANAC approves Dart’s full emergency litter kit for AS350/355
Source: Dart Aerospace, 09-May-13
DART Aerospace announces that the Full Emergency Litter Kit is now ANAC approved for AS350/355 aircraft. DART’s emergency litter kit transforms any AS350/355 aircraft for emergency evacuation in less than five minutes and 4 easy steps. This kit can easily be stored in the cargo compartment so it doesn’t interfere with normal operations. Learn more [...]
08-May-13 Eurocopter AS350 Morro da Urca HP, Brazil
08-May-13
Landing accident – ended up in trees adjacent to the heliport. Helicopter believed to be on sightseeing tour. Five people injured Cláudio Cobo Fernandes, Marcos Estaca da Silva Nunes, Disney da Silva Ribeiro Lopes Júnior, along with pilot Ricardo de Resende Herter and co-pilot Murilo Cesar da Silva Saibro.
02-May-13 PP-EIH Eurocopter AS350BA Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
02-May-13
Five hospitalised after police helicopter crashed on training flight. Landed upright with significant vertical forces. Helicopter was executing a series of low orbit firing passes when the main rotor blades struck treetops and it spiraled into the ground.
02-May-13 N209LF Eurocopter EC130 Walnut Hill, US-Florida
02-May-13
EMS Helicopter grounded after technical (electrical?) fault on take-off. Patient on board and taken onwards by ground ambulance
Regular sightseeing tours start in London
Source: The London Helicopter, 01-May-13
The UK’s first public helicopter service to sell individual seats online launches on 1st May when The London Helicopter introduces regular sightseeing flights from The Barclays London Heliport in Battersea. This innovative offering at www.thelondonhelicopter.com allows passengers to pre-book seats for helicopter sightseeing trips over the Capital taking off from London’s only commercially licensed Heliport. The new [...]
Huntsville Hospital’s AS350 now carrying blood
Source: AL.com, 01-May-13
MedFlight, the hospital’s air ambulance, is the first helicopter in the state of Alabama to carry blood on every flight (see full report)
Helibras selects Safran Engineering Services as system integrator
Source: Safran Engineering Services, 29-Apr-13
Brazilian helicopter manufacturer Helibras, a subsidiary of Eurocopter, has selected Safran Engineering Services as the design authority to supply the installation design and full integration of multiple avionics communication and navigation systems, including a sophisticated new Glass Cockpit System from Sagem (Safran), as well as the integration of the auto-pilot system, for the modernization of [...]
27-Apr-13 LN-OVO Eurocopter AS350B3 Roldal, Norway
27-Apr-13
Five POB not seriously injured when helicopter crashed at ski resort. One report quotes a police officer saying there is a suspicion the pilot was impaired by alcohol, but most reports say the test was “routine”. Some reports mention contact with powerlines, others rule that out
Metro Aviation delivers AS350 to EagleMed
Source: Metro Aviation, 25-Apr-13
Metro Aviation recently delivered a new Eurocopter AS350 to EagleMed as the result of a base expansion in Cody, Wyoming. The aircraft was completed at Metro’s headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana. The AS350 is equipped with Metro’s EMS kit that includes the transfill oxygen system with two outlets, medical inverter system, flip up seats, and LEMS [...]
Nepal’s Fishtail Air adds an AS350B3+
Source: Fishtail Air, 19-Apr-13
Fishtail Air’s newest helicopter commenced its first commercial flight on 11th April, 2013! The AS 350 B3+ single-engine light helicopter had arrived in Nepal on 29th March after having left Italy on 18th March 2013. Registered I-VIEW, the helicopter is fitted with 5+1 passenger seat version and is constantly ready to undertake real challenges and [...]
Brazil’s State of Pará orders two AS350B2
Source: Helibras, 18-Apr-13
[electronic translation] Helibras signed in its booth at LAAD – Defence & Security 2013, a contract for delivery of two new helicopters AS350 B2 Squirrel model for the Secretary of State for Public Security and Social Defense of Pará These aircraft were acquired to form the security planning of the State Government due to the [...]
Coast to Coast Helicopters adds two AS350B3e to Mustang fleet
Source: Eurocopter Canada, 17-Apr-13
Coast to Coast Helicopters took delivery of two enhanced AS350 B3e’s to increase support for the groups utility helicopters operations. Both aircraft will be operated by one of the group’s subsidiary operations; Mustang Helicopters. “The purchase of the AS350 B3e’s was an easy decision as the AStar family has continued to demonstrate its reliability and [...]
New AS350 for Castleview Hospital
Source: ETV-10 News, 15-Apr-13
Price residents may have noticed a helicopter flying over the city on Friday. The new chopper caught the eye of many residents and will soon be a permanent fixture to the area (see full story)
09-Apr-13 C-GZBA Eurocopter AS350B3e Tenquille Lake, Canada
09-Apr-13
Blade strike on landing after snow blew up around helicopter on approach
30-Mar-13 N911AA Eurocopter AS350B3 Talkeetna, US-Alaska (3F)
30-Mar-13
Two Alaska State Troopers and a rescued snowmobiler died in the crash. A press release later named them as Alaska State Trooper pilot Mel Nading, Trooper Tage Toll of Talkeetna, and Carl Ober, the 56-year-old injured snowmachiner from Talkeetna
30-Mar-13 F-HJTE Eurocopter AS350B3 Concorezzo, Italy
30-Mar-13
Substantially damaged in landing accident. Sole occupant pilot not injured
More STC Approvals for Latitude’s SkyNode Satcom and IONode FDM Systems
Source: Latitude, 27-Mar-13
Latitude Technologies (Latitude) announced that the company has received a FAA STC for the SkyNode S100 flight following and flight date transceiver for installation in more than 800 Part 23 category aircraft. Latitude has also recently received FAA approval of the SkyNode S100 including the IONode Flight Data Monitoring system for light helicopters including Bell [...]
24-Mar-13 N353DL Eurocopter AS350B3 Stevens Village, US-Alaska
24-Mar-13
On landing, pilot looked to ensure tail rotor clearance and inadvertently inputted cyclic. Helicopter rolled up on one skid and main rotor blades struck the ground. Helicopter was involved in load lifting operations
24-Mar-13 N571LF Eurocopter EC130 Atmore, US-Alabama
24-Mar-13
Door separated and struck rotors. FAA quotes this as N571LF which is incorrect as that is a fixed-wing registration [if it is an ..LF registration, then N209LF and N506LF are EC130s based in Alabama]
Soloy SD2 Kit Approved for Installation in China
Source: Soloy, 06-Mar-13
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued a Validation STC (VSTC0601) of the Supplemental Type Certificate approving Soloy Aviation Solutions’ Honeywell engine conversion in Chinese registered AS350B2 helicopters, replacing the factory Turbomeca powerplant. The validation of Soloy’s successful STC, which approves the installation of the Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 engine in the Eurocopter AS350B2, will allow [...]
American Eurocopter is leader in law enforcement sales
Source: American Eurocopter, 06-Mar-13
American Eurocopter continues to lead the U.S. airborne law enforcement market, maintaining a 55 percent market share over the last decade with a product line that has become the industry standard. With 280 Eurocopter aircraft operating in federal, state and local law enforcement units, operators cite reliability, versatility and cost effectiveness as key factors in [...]
American Eurocopter leads in helicopter sales for EMS missions
Source: American Eurocopter, 06-Mar-13
Many times each day, a call goes out somewhere in the United States for a helicopter to provide emergency airlift for a critically injured or ill patient. More often than not, a Eurocopter helicopter sold and supported by American Eurocopter answers the call. As Heli-Expo 2013 begins, American Eurocopter can proudly say that in 2012 [...]
Eurocopter Canada adds new STC items for AS350, EC130 and EC120
Source: Eurocopter Canada, 05-Mar-13
With the recent certification of the 2nd Battery Installation for the EC130 B4 and the Cable Cutter installation for the AS350, Eurocopter Canada Limited (ECL) has increased the range of kitted Supplemental Type Certificates (STC’s) for Eurocopter’s AS350, EC130 and EC120 product range. With the 2nd battery installation on the EC130, operators can benefit from [...]
Dart working with Pall on AS350/EC130 Arriel air filtration system
Source: DART Aerospace, 05-Mar-13
DART Aerospace today announced that in collaboration with PallCorporation (NYSE:PLL) it will shortly initiate flight testing of a next-gen advanced engine air filtration system for AS350 and EC130 helicopter models equipped with Arriel engines. The new AS350/EC130 Advanced Engine Air Filtration System will provide the highest level of helicopter air inlet protection to enhance engine [...]
22-Feb-13 N917EM Eurocopter AS350B2 Oklahoma City, US-Oklahoma (2F)
22-Feb-13
Crashed close to buildings. Pilot Mark Montgomery and crew member Chris Denning killed, third crew member Billy Wynn is critical. (names were released here) Two explosions after the helicopter crash landed in upright position. Completely burnt out in post-crash fire.
EASA approves Simplex AS350/AS355 aerial cleaning and de-icing System
Source: Simplex, 18-Feb-13
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has completed the validation of the Model 510 FAA STC. On February 8th, the Simplex Model 510 powerline insulator and windmill cleaning and de-icing system was granted EASA certification (EASA # 10043539) for installation and operation on AS 350 and AS 355 series aircraft. Simplex received an FAA STC [...]
15-Feb-13 C-FVIT Eurocopter AS350B2 Quebec/Jean-Lesage, Canada
15-Feb-13
Ground vehicle skidded on ice and ran into parked helicopter, causing significant damage. CADAORS ref 2013Q0397
07-Feb-13 VH-EWM Eurocopter AS350B2 Hobart, Australia
07-Feb-13
Firefighting helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Helicopter was contracted to Tasmania Fire Service
05-Feb-13 F-GYBH Eurocopter AS350B3 Cormet-de-Roselend, France
05-Feb-13
Pilot chose to make precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather. Helicopter rolled over when landing on snowy surface
03-Feb-13 C-GPHN Eurocopter AS350BA Sept-Îles, Canada
03-Feb-13
Training accident. Two of three on board injured. CADAORS ref 2013Q0276
29-Jan-13 Eurocopter AS350 Havasu, US-Arizona
29-Jan-13
Precautionary landing in park after oil pressure warning
28-Jan-13 ZK-HKV Eurocopter EC130 Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
28-Jan-13
Emergency landing after fuel indication dropped to zero with rotor speed warning. Apparent wiring issue
EASA certifies Cobham HeliSAS™ on AS350/EC130
Source: Cobham, 18-Jan-13
Cobham has been granted Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for its HeliSAS™ Stability Augmentation System and Autopilot by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). STC #10049171 allows installation of HeliSAS on a significant new range of Eurocopter helicopters, including: AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, D, and EC130B4 models across the European Union. With more than [...]
17-Jan-13 F-GZFJ Eurocopter AS350B2 St Julien-Molhesabate, France
17-Jan-13
Pilot lost visual reference when landing on a snowy surface. Heavy landing, damaged skids and tail boom
Riverside County Sheriff selects Becker digital system for AS350 fleet upgrade
Source: Becker Avionics, 07-Jan-13
Becker Avionics announced today that Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California, selected the Becker DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system to upgrade their four Eurocopter AS350 multi-mission helicopters and single Cessna 182P surveillance fixed wing platform. During the next few months the Riverside Air Unit aircraft will undergo avionics upgrades, to include Becker’s Digital [...]
02-Jan-13 N334AM Eurocopter EC130 Cromwell, US-Oklahoma
02-Jan-13
Very heavy field landing of an EMS helicopter – helicopter was headed from Seminole Airport to the Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah. Skids collapsed, main blades sliced tail boom. All four POB injured, noting that no patient was on board.
Air Methods acquires Sundance Helicopters for $44M
Source: Air Methods, 01-Jan-13
Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. (Sundance), a helicopter tour operator based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sundance is a leader in helicopter tour [...]
29-Dec-12 PP-BRJ Eurocopter AS350B2 Copacabana, Brazil
29-Dec-12
Crashed into the sea while trying to rescue a swimmer – helicopter had approached to a low hover and then appears to suddenly lose height into the water (see YouTube video)
29-Dec-12 D-HAIE Eurocopter AS350B Rehagen, Germany
29-Dec-12
Helicopter fell onto its side after pilot aborted take-off
18-Dec-12 N804MP Eurocopter AS350B3 Miami, US-Florida
18-Dec-12
Bird strike – turkey vulture broke windshield and injured pilot – the only person on board. Safe landing in a parking lot
15-Dec-12 C-GYPH Eurocopter AS350B3 Beluga, US-Alaska
15-Dec-12
Collision with trees during load lift operation. Pilot injured. CADAORS ref 2012P2046
Brazilian Army approves Helibras workshop in São Paulo
Source: Helibras, 13-Dec-12
[electronic translation] The workshop Helibras located on the Champ de Mars, in São Paulo, received a certification from the Directorate of Army Aviation Material (DMAvEx), sectoral support body responsible for managing the helicopters Avex, to perform repairs and inspections on airframe AS350 and AS550 L1 military A2, and maintenance and repair of aircraft equipment supplied [...]
11-Dec-12 PT-YSW Eurocopter AS350BA Goiania, Brazil
11-Dec-12
Flight aimed at demonstrating a landing with hydraulic failure. With the hydraulic control was disconnected, the pilot made the approach to the runway, and attempted to make a vertical landing (zero speed with the helicopter hovering). With the aircraft hovering, the pilot lost control of the helicopter, and the tail boom hit the ground. The [...]
Mexico approves Dart’s AS350/355 Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 05-Dec-12
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce their receipt Mexican approval (DGAC) for Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits fitted for AS350 and AS355 series of helicopters. The DART Vertical Reference Floor Window Kits are available in three sizes to fit various operational requirements. You can now look through the floor window with ease for vertical [...]
05-Dec-12 LN-OMY Eurocopter AS350BA Germany/Sweden
05-Dec-12
Heli Trans AS350 took off from Lübeck in Germany, destination Halmstad in Sweden, but did not arrived at the expected time. 2 POB – Heli Trans pilot and a passenger who was not one of their employees.
Azur Helicoptere fined €80,000 over fatal June 2009 crash
25-Nov-12
Azur Helicopter and its Chairman were found guilty on 10th October of “manslaughter by breach of an obligation of safety or prudence.”. This week they have been given a fine of €80,000 (see full story). The accident is in the HeliHub.com accident database at 20-Jun-09 F-GTRF Eurocopter AS350B2 Mount Cordon, France (7F)
23-Nov-12 N3984A Eurocopter AS350B3 Scottsdale, US-Arizona
23-Nov-12
Tail boom damaged in off airport landing
22-Nov-12 C6-APV Eurocopter AS355F1 Great Guana Cay, Bahamas (1F)
22-Nov-12
1 killed (named here as helicopter owner Lance Valdez) and 4 injured including billionaire Jeffery Soffer
20-Nov-12 I-MIAE Eurocopter AS350BA Trichiana, Italy (2F)
20-Nov-12
Helicopter was involved in low-level aerial work to drop rabies vaccines for foxes as part of a Health Authority program. AS350BA crashed into field close to houses after hitting high voltage cables, killing both occupants – pilot Silvio Botto Steglia, 37, and Felice Faivano, 35. Two houses damaged (see photo essay). Some local reports cite [...]
07-Nov-12 N901CF Eurocopter AS350B3 Spanish Springs, US-Nevada
07-Nov-12
Emergency landing in field. No damage
31-Oct-12 JA35BB Eurocopter AS350B3 Yakushima, Japan
31-Oct-12
During take off phase, near miss with landing Japan Air Commuter Dash-8 JA849C
31-Oct-12 ZS-HDI Eurocopter AS350B3 Francistown, Botswana
31-Oct-12
Loss of control during takeoff after refuelling and ended up on its starboard side. Badly damaged
31-Oct-12 PT-HNE Eurocopter AS350B3 Sorocaba, Brazil
31-Oct-12
Heavy landing and ended up colliding with firefighting equipment that was in the area. The helicopter sustained serious damage to its tail rotor, to the right hand side baggage compartment, and to both landing skids.
Wysong completes 5th EMS Bell 407 in 2012; Signs for 5 more completions
Source: Wysong Enterprises, 23-Oct-12
Wysong Enterprises (Wysong) announced today from the Air Medical Transport Conference in Seattle that they have completed their 5th EMS Equipped Bell 407 this year and signed contracts for four more 407 aircraft completions this week. In addition to the 407s, Wysong also will begin work on another EMS Eurocopter AS-350 in January. “We are [...]
21-Oct-12 N956LA Eurocopter AS350B3 Lakewood, US-California
21-Oct-12
LA County Sheriff made emergency landing on highway after a bird strike at night
Citizen TV acquires first news helicopter in Kenya
Source: Kenya Daily News, 20-Oct-12
Royal Media Services has become the first Kenyan media house to acquire a news helicopter – although the AS350 shows no signs of any externally mounted cameras! (see full story)
16-Oct-12 G-BXGA Eurocopter AS350B2 Kettlewell, UK
16-Oct-12
Chain sling contacted tail rotor drive cover, horizontal stabiliser and both tail rotor blades during lifting operations
NZ – Taupo’s rescue helicopter has new sponsor
Source: Philips Search & Rescue Trust, 12-Oct-12
Taupo’s rescue helicopter is a well-known sight in the sky. Libby O’Brien found out more about the helicopter’s facelift and the company playing a new role in helping the service take flight They say pigs may fly, but no-one has ever expected a cow to become airborne, let alone play a major part in search [...]
08-Oct-12 G-ORKY Eurocopter AS350B2 Cairngorms, UK
08-Oct-12
Hoist cable hitting tail rotor in turbulent weather conditions. Badly damaged
06-Oct-12 OB-1949-P Eurocopter AS350B3 Kiteni, Peru
06-Oct-12
One of three helicopters fire bombed by terrorists at night while parked on the airfield. All three were on contract to Transportadora de Gas del Peru
American Eurocopter showcases AStar leadership at IACP 2012
Source: American Eurocopter, 28-Sep-12
American Eurocopter, whose wide product line has become the standard for U.S. Airborne Law Enforcement, will feature its AS350 B2 from the Ontario (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit at this year’s International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in San Diego. “The AS350 series has become the helicopter of choice [...]
28-Sep-12 TG-FHD Eurocopter AS350B3 Vista Hermosa, Guatemala (1F)
28-Sep-12
Pilot reported tail rotor problems before crashing – the tail rotor was found on the roof of a house “a few hundred metres” from the crash site. While the pilot and one passenger survived, the accident killed textile magnate Joe Habie, one of the richest men in Guatemala
Freedom Aero Service launches new repair process for AS350 Series
Source: Freedom Aero Service, 24-Sep-12
Freedom Aero Service, Inc. is proud to announce their new repair process FRS-11 for repair of ignition exciter boxes HE900 and HE901, Turbomeca PN’s 9550176020 for model HE901 and 9550164470 for model HE900.Freedom received FAA approval and is pleased to add this service to the HE402F, Turbomeca PN 9560119620 repair process FRS-5 already in place. [...]
20-Sep-12 PR-DKK Eurocopter EC130 Itamaraju, Brazil (1F)
20-Sep-12
Crashed on night flight. Helicopter was 30 days old with 50 hours on the airframe.
18-Sep-12 HB-ZJO Eurocopter AS350B3 Vallemaggia, Switzerland (1F)
18-Sep-12
Helicopter crashed in mountainous region, killing the sole occupant pilot. There was a post-crash fire.
11-Sep-12 C-GKSH Eurocopter AS350B2 Sept-ÃŽles, Canada
11-Sep-12
Tail rotor struck sand bank on take-off. Substantial damage included the tail rotor, tailboom, tail rotor gearbox, horizontal stabilizer, 1 main rotor blade and the long shaft. CADAORS ref 2012Q2152
$6.8M mosquito-control AS350 purchase hits political turbulence
Source: Florida Today, 06-Sep-12
Brevard County Commission two weeks ago authorized the $6.8 million deal by a 3-2 vote, after hearing arguments that the county would save money through the purchase because of reduced maintenance costs and greater efficiency in the use of chemicals and fuel. The county expects to sign the contract with American Eurocopter within a few [...]
01-Sep-12 Eurocopter AS350B3 Dundo, Angola (4F)
01-Sep-12
Accident caused the deaths of the captain of the aircraft, chief-inspector Tiago Casimiro, his assistant, João Adelino João Brandão, as well as the workers of the Provincial Electoral Commission, Lourenço Mussenoho and Maria Augusta João.
