18-Jun-2012Source: Soloy
Soloy Aviation Solutions has been approved for a SD engine conversion kit for the AS350B helicopter. The SD kit includes the same Honeywell LTS101-600A-3A engine used on Soloy’s SD1 installation. While the Honeywell powered versions of the AS350B model helicopter have been available for many years, all previous conversions required the conversion of the complete... Read more
14-Jun-2012
While manoeuvring near wildlife at low altitude, the tail rotor struck rocks and a large vibration was noted in the pedals. The pilot landed beside the nearby river without incident and called the company to report. The subsequent maintenance inspection revealed damage to the tail rotor blades, drive shafts, the tail boom and the vertical... Read more
12-Jun-2012
Emergency landing in public park “after noticing strange fumes”... Read more
12-Jun-2012
Bird strike at 12,000 ft amsl. Pilot elected to abort and return to base. Alternate aircraft sent to carry out patient transfer... Read more
10-Jun-2012
Crashed in woodland killing Kenya’s Security Minister, George Saitoti and his deputy Orwa Ojode, pilots Luke Oyugi, Nancy Gituanja and bodyguards Inspector Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimis. Only small size items remain after post-crash fire. Helicopter had only been delivered earlier this year (see HeliHub.com story and local Kenyan story). See also this YouTube... Read more
1-Jun-2012
Three killed in mountainous area, all employees of Bailey Helicopters. Pilot named as Peter Bryant, 45 and passengers Blake Erickson, 48, and Arnaud Jolibois, 44.  CADAORS 2012P0786... Read more
11-May-2012
Crew member suffered serious head injuries when “releasing the transport line” (literal translation). Investigation ongoing, few details.... Read more
8-May-2012Source: Heli Tours
Heli Tours is proud to offer in conjunction with Guided Nature Walks New Zealand LTD - Heli Snowshoeing! Once the adrenalin is rushing from your heli flight, don a pair of our high-tech snowshoes. Gone are the old tennis racket style snowshoes and in are the new, slim line snowshoes which let you feel as... Read more
6-May-2012Source: Paravion Technology
Paravion® Technology, Inc. announces that their highly successful compact ground handling wheel product line has been expanded for use with the Eurocopter AS350/355 rotorcraft, in addition to the Bell 206L/407 rotorcraft already available. The CGHW-100 kit is a pair of compact hydraulic ground handling wheels which easily stow in a small area of the baggage compartment... Read more
29-Apr-2012
Annual check ride with NVGs in EMS helicopter. After a satisfactory slope landing, the PIC repositioned the helicopter to a flat area and performed a hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. After the flight, during a post-flight examination, substantial damage was discovered to the tail boom and the aft portion of the fuselage... Read more
25-Apr-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce FAA approval of DART Aerospace Ltd.’s (DAS) newly improved Auxiliary Fuel Tank for the AS350 series of aircraft and the EC 130 B4. The newly improved Auxiliary Fuel Tank provides additional fuel capacity that can be transferred to the main fuel tank as desired in order to extend... Read more
25-Apr-2012
Emergency landing after running out of fuel. No damage.... Read more
24-Apr-2012Source: FlightSafety
FlightSafety International announces that Jeremy Pisell has been promoted to Assistant Manager of the company’s Learning Center in Tucson, Arizona. “Our Customers and Teammates who train and work at the Tucson Learning Center will appreciate and benefit from Jeremy’s aviation experience, thorough understanding of FlightSafety’s training programs, focus on service, and ability to manage and... Read more
18-Apr-2012
Tail rotor separated while landing on glacier... Read more
6-Apr-2012
Four Chinese employees from state oil firm CNPC and two French crew members were killed in a helicopter crash in Niger’s Tenere desert. Helicopter went missing 6th April and was not found until 9th April... Read more
27-Mar-2012Source: Aspen Avionics
Aspen Avionics announced today that Aeronav Avionics Inc, a full-service avionics system repair and maintenance company, has received Transport Canada STC approval for installation of Aspen’s single Evolution Pro H Primary Flight Display, and the 1500H and 2000H dual flight display systems in the AS350 series helicopter. The installation approval allows for night VFR configuration,... Read more
25-Mar-2012
Shortly after take off with five passengers on a pleasure flight at the Frühlingsfest event, the helicopter descended suddenly and suffered a heavy run-on landing which caused the skids to completely deform -then sliding onwards through two security fences before coming to rest in a 40 degree nose down angle on the bank of a... Read more
24-Mar-2012
Tail rotor suffered minor damage after it stuck the ground while attempting to take off... Read more
21-Mar-2012
Helicopter landing on snow ended up on its starboard side. 2 of 6 POB had minor injuries... Read more
17-Mar-2012
42-year-old Shri Rama Krishnan, was flying the Squirrel with two passengers on board on a routine food supply trip when the helicopter went missing, after turning back on encountering bad weather. The helicopter was on charter to the Indonesian arm of US mining company Freeport-McMoRan.... Read more
16-Mar-2012Source: Aeronav Avionics
Aeronav Avionics of Pitt Meadows, BC recently announced its formal TCCA STC approval# SH12-15 for installation of Aspen Avionics Evolution EFD1000H/MFD500H dual display, night VFR configuration in the AS350 series helicopter. The STC covers various interfaces and allows the end user the flexibility to integrate a single panel installation or a more diverse multi panel/multi... Read more
6-Mar-2012Source: FB Heliservices
Cobham Aviation Services is delighted to confirm that FB Heliservices has announced it has been awarded a four (4) year contract plus two (2) possible one year extensions by the UK Ministry of Defence to continue to provide helicopter flying training at RAF Shawbury, RAF Valley and AAC Middle Wallop, together with support services at... Read more
1-Mar-2012
Contacted cables, but landed normally with all three main rotor blades damaged. Pilot listed as Francisco Esquivel Sierra... Read more
29-Feb-2012
Tailboom damaged during autorotation landing... Read more
27-Feb-2012Source: CayCompass
What started as an attempt to put more cruise ship passengers on a helicopter tour of Grand Cayman and drum up some business on the north side of George Town harbour has ended up in a court fight between the helicopter company, Cayman’s CAA and some downtown property owners. (see full story)... Read more
25-Feb-2012
Damaged in heavy landing. Registration per FAA prelim report, but is not a valid registration(!)... Read more
22-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Moscow-based newspaper Vedomosti is today saying that Russia is preparing to order over 100 Eurocopter AS350 and AS355 helicopters to train military pilots. The initial phase is a public procurement notice filed on Friday 17th February for 15 single- and 30 twin-engined helicopters, but with pricing to be based on an eventual order for over... Read more
22-Feb-2012
Helicopter landed due to excessive vibration, which continued as ground resonance which shook the aircraft to bits (see YouTube video)Â 4POB all got out safely – the commander, the second pilot, a doctor and a nurse... Read more
17-Feb-2012
crashed shortly after take-off. 5POB all safe. Occupants included Lucio BenÃtez y and Walter DÃaz... Read more
15-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
Metro Aviation has signed an agreement with American Eurocopter to use the AS350 Flight Simulator as part of the operator’s pilot training program. American Eurocopter owns the only AS350 Level B full motion flight simulator in the world. “We are strong advocates of simulator training for EMS pilots,†said Mike Stanberry, President of Metro Aviation.... Read more
14-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
Air Methods has entered into a lease agreement with American Eurocopter to use its AS350 Level B full motion flight simulator for the operator’s pilot training program. Pending final FAA approval of the training course, the program is anticipated to begin simulator training in the second quarter of this year. “Full motion simulation has not... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
Summit Aviation added as service center in key northeast region From Eurocopter booth #1917 at the 2012 Heli-Expo, American Eurocopter announced today that it has reached an agreement that will add Summit Aviation, based in Middletown, Delaware, to its extensive network of independent service centers across North America. “Providing our customers with the service and... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: Turbomeca
Coastal Helicopters Inc.. HAS Entered Into Year Purchase Agreement with Turbomeca Engine USA (Safran group) for five Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engines. Coastal Helicopters, Inc. Currently Operates five AS350B2’s that Were her assets to Soloy AS 350 B2/SD2 ‘s in 2005. Turbomeca USA Coastal views Helicopter’s decision to reverse the retrofit back to the Turbomeca Arriel... Read more
9-Feb-2012Source: DART Helicopter Service
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce EASA approval of Geneva’s ENG and Law Enforcement completion components for Eurocopter AS350, 355, and Bell 206A/B, 206L and 407 series aircraft. Geneva’s receipt of the EASA approvals will allow European operators to take advantage of Geneva’s many ENG and law enforcement equipment solutions. All components are... Read more
9-Feb-2012
20 minutes into flight, weather rapidly changed putting helicopter in Inadvertent IMC. Location is estimated based on cruise speed of aircraft and stated routing from Spokane to Lewiston... Read more
6-Feb-2012
Engine allowed to over-speed causing turbine blades to fail... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter generated a record high annual turnover in 2011 as the company benefitted from long-term strategies of investing in innovation to keep its helicopter product line at the forefront, growing the international footprint, developing services businesses and optimizing internal operations. The deliveries of 503 rotary-wing aircraft in 2011, along with Eurocopter’s enhanced support and services... Read more
24-Jan-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada, FAA, EASA and Brazilian approval of DART Aerospace Ltd.’s (DAS) Deluxe Skidtube for Eurocopter AS350/AS355 aircraft. DART’s Deluxe Round-I-Beam™ Skidtubes come straight from the factory with the most popular options pre-installed to save installation time and increase customer convenience. The Deluxe Skidtube feature DAS’s patented... Read more
23-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Swiss operator Swift Copters have added two helicopters to their fleet in the last week. HB-ZPM is a Eurocopter AS350BA leased in from French operator Mont Blanc Helicopteres – serial number 1833 and previously F-GFPM. HB-ZMS is a Sikorsky S76B owned by Sikornir SA – and was featured at Helitech in the UK in September... Read more
22-Jan-2012Source: Poudre Valley Health System
Poudre Valley Health System announced today that it plans to offer an air ambulance program from Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland beginning mid-March. The program would feature a B3 helicopter designed to safely transfer patients in high-altitude areas. “We are proud to bring to the community an air ambulance service built around three... Read more
22-Jan-2012
In flight fire, emergency landing.... Read more
17-Jan-2012Source: CBS Denver
The helicopter is based in Gypsum, quite a few miles down the road. But because of a partnership with the hospital in Vail, it’s stationed there, right along Interstate 70 every day, drastically reducing response times. (see full story)... Read more
17-Jan-2012
Reports say the pilot has suffered cardiac arrest and the aircraft crashed. Pilot airlifted to Chilliwack Hospital, but BCAS later reported pilot deceased. RCMP named pilot as Dave Brolin. CADORS ref 2012P0085... Read more
12-Jan-2012
An Orange County Sheriff’s probe into allegations that a department helicopter was used for a joy-ride is focusing on a Nov. 10 trip taken by supervising Sgt. Han O and a female deputy assigned to the Central Court. (see full story)... Read more
3-Jan-2012
Captain Abera told the weekly Capital Ethiopia newspaper that his company has imported an AS350 model helicopter and they plan to increase their numbers in the future (see full story)... Read more
30-Dec-2011Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
A second wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in a Nevada court against the Las Vegas-based operator of a sightseeing tour helicopter that crashed and killed five people earlier this month (see full story)... Read more
30-Dec-2011
Helicopter destroyed by arson attack at 2.45am when parked. Helicopter was operated by INAER Chile for CONAF (Chilean national fire service) in support of forest firefightingm, which is what it is currently actively involved in. Slogans were left nearby suggesting the perpetrators were campaigning for the freedom of “political prisoners”.... Read more
21-Dec-2011
Precautionary landing made on road, no injuries, no damage... Read more
19-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The first full-flight simulator for helicopters made in Brazil has gone live – and it’s known as SHEFE (Simulador para Helicópteros Esquilo e Fennec), picking up the names given to the AS350 in Brazilian Naval and Army roles. Given the local Helibras production line, it seems likely that the simulator will be fully employed just... Read more
19-Dec-2011Source: Alaska Dispatch
Alaska State Troopers want a bigger, better, faster, tougher helicopter for their Fairbanks-based operations. They’ve already convinced Gov. Sean Parnell that the $3 million aircraft is necessary. He included money for it in his proposed 2013 budget — a spending plan he described Thursday as focused on true needs over mere wants. (see full story)... Read more
17-Dec-2011Source: Simplex
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted an STC for Simplex Aerospace’s new power line insulator and windmill cleaning system for the Eurocopter AS350 and 355 series. The STC, number SR02207SE issued on 12-15-2011, is the newest product in the company’s 65 year history of innovation. The Aerial Cleaning system represents the third generation of aerial cleaning... Read more
17-Dec-2011
Crashed shortly after take-off with two high profile politicians on board – total 5POB. Potential damage is to port skid? But it may just be uneven ground.... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: Kansas City Star
The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Nevada on behalf of the families of a honeymooning couple from India killed in a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter crash that also took the lives of the pilot and a Kansas couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. (see full story)... Read more
14-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The NTSB preliminary report cites the following factors which they evidently see as very important in this stage of their investigation (1) the impact location in a narrow ravine (2) the non-standard routing taken by the pilot (3) dusk light conditions Check out the details in the Preliminary report Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
14-Dec-2011Source: NTSB
On December 7, 2011 at 1630 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, registration N37SH, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was a tourist sightseeing flight, which departed from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS), Las... Read more
12-Dec-2011
External load operations. Load had been transferred when pilot felt something unusual and elected to make an autorotation landing. Lost control in the flare and the helicopter landed heavily and rolled onto its side – severely damaged. Pilot listed as Eduardo Boisset Encina... Read more
11-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Sundance Helicopters AS350 that went down just west of Lake Mead had its engine and other parts replaced the day before it crashed, killing five people, investigators revealed Friday. Check out the NTSB press briefings:- early on Thursday 8th December 8pm on Thursday 8th December 5pm on Saturday 10th December William P Johnson –... Read more
9-Dec-2011Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a 12-member Go-Team to investigate the crash of a helicopter on a sight-seeing tour that occurred near Las Vegas at about 5:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday. Preliminary reports indicate that all five persons on board the helicopter were fatally injured. Senior Air Safety Investigator Bill English will serve... Read more
7-Dec-2011
5 killed on “sunset” tour flight. Pilot has been named as Landon Nield, 31. Passengers named include Delwin and Tamara Chapman, from Utica, Kansas, who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. The other two passengers were 26-year-old Anupama Bhola and 28-year-old Lovish Bhanot, both from New Delhi, India.... Read more
30-Nov-2011
Went missing during fire fighting operations. Located some hours later in 7m of water. Bodies of pilot John “Prickles” de Ridder and passenger William MacRae from Dept of Conservation have been confirmed by divers as being inside the helicopter. Salt Air – Company statement here... Read more
29-Nov-2011
Helicopter was taking off at Lubuche when it suffered damage to the tail boom/rotor. All 3 occupants safe... Read more
26-Nov-2011
Helicopter crashed Saturday in a wooded area near Labrador City, but the only person on board has walked away without serious injuries. CADAORS 2011A1083... Read more
23-Nov-2011
Main blades struck wire while helicopter was helping install Christmas Tree on Auckland waterfront. Helicopter split in two and thrashed itself to pieces from a 10m hover. Pilot Greg Gribble escaped serious injury. Event was being broadcast live on TVNZ... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Cayman Islands Helicopters have opened their new helipad on the waterfront of capital city Georgetown, aiming specifically at the cruise ship market. Previously operating from Owen Robert International Airport, the transfer to and from the port (even though only 10 minutes each way!) did not encourage as many cruise passengers as expected. With the new... Read more
16-Nov-2011
Emergency landing after bird strike caused hole 10×16 inches... Read more
10-Nov-2011Source: FAA
Supercedes AD 2003-22-06. Tail rotor pitch control rod... Read more
7-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 29, 2011, about 2009 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter, N165EH, sustained substantial damage during... Read more
7-Nov-2011
Emergency landing made due to tail rotor problems... Read more
7-Nov-2011
Main blades clipped rock while filming at low level. Landed heavily and awkwardly on skids on a road.... Read more
4-Nov-2011Source: Royal Air Force
A helicopter Instructor with No 660 Squadron on the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury has gained an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. On 27 March 2011, at the Yeovil Half Marathon, Lieutenant Jim Fraser RN broke a Guinness World Recordâ„¢ by running a half marathon whilst wearing a respirator. He... Read more
3-Nov-2011Source: Cobham
In a significant development for hundreds of South American aircraft owners, Cobham’s 3D Synthetic Vision EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) has received Brazilian validation for AS350/355 model series helicopters, allowing for aftermarket installation in that country. The EFIS had previously received validation for Bell 206 and 407 aircraft. The fully-digital EFIS from Integrated Systems, a... Read more
2-Nov-2011
Landing made prior to arriving at intended destination due to weather. Intended routing was Kathmandu from Pokhara... Read more
1-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Rio Grande Valley’s longest-running helicopter ambulance flew its last flight yesterday, 31st October, thanks to Texas state budget cuts. The South Texas Emergency Care Foundation has operated Valley AirCare since 1995, but operating their AS350B2 in recent years has been an increasing challenge as cost reimbursements continued a downward slide and fuel prices soared. ... Read more
31-Oct-2011Source: Colorado Flight for Life
The first civilian hospital based helicopter air ambulance; “Flight For Life†started at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado in 1972. Flight nurses Jane Miller and Margaret Tole began flying with Flight for Life in 1975. Care Flight was born in 1981 when Miller accepted the position of Chief Flight Nurse, and along with Tole,... Read more
29-Oct-2011
The pilot had left Nome on Saturday and refueled in Unalakleet and Bethel – and had planned to spend the night in Iliamna before flying on to Anchorage on Sunday. Pilot later named as 66-year-old William Zeman. Reported as “crashed and burned”... Read more
27-Oct-11
14-Sep-11
07-Sep-11
