Fatal Accidents

17-Mar-12 PK-ODA Eurocopter AS350B2 Tembagapura, Indonesia (3K)

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-12 10981 Sikorsky UH-60 Kabul, Afghanistan (16K)

Turkish military MI-17 crashed in a suburb of Kabul killing 16 – reports suggest 12 in the helicopter, 4 on the ground (two women, two children).  The names of the soldiers  are as follows: Maj. Mithat Çolak, Maj. Şükrü BaÄŸdatlı, Maj. Serkan DoÄŸan, Maj. Ä°smail Cem Yakınlar, Cpt. Adil ErdoÄŸan, Commanding Sgt. Maj. Salih Helvacı,... Read more

14-Mar-12 D-HALS Bell 212 Iquela, Gabon (2F)

Crashed while taking part in oil exploration/ seismic operations on behalf of the Perenco Oil... Read more

12-Mar-12 F-BXXL Agusta-Bell 47G2 Lorrain, Martinique (1F)

Struck powerlines during agricultural operations, crashed and burnt out killing the pilot – Luke Chassery... Read more

28-Feb-12 HL-190 Bell UH-1H San Luis Peten, Guatemala (10F)

Military helicopter which went to rescue civil helicopter which had crashed (see here) – crashed itself in a mountainous area killing all 10 aboard,... Read more

28-Feb-12 6535 Eurocopter MH-65C Point Clear, US-Alabama (4F)

US Coast Guard MH-65C missing.  1 crew member rescue swimmer CPO Fernando Jorge was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.  Search for the other thre on board has so far found the bodies of Lt. j.g. Thomas Cameron, and Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor.  The body of Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight has still not... Read more

27-Feb-12 ST-GFB Mil Mi-17 Al-Qadarif, Sudan (3F)

Sudanese minister of agriculture, Abdel Halim al-Mutafi, has escaped death in a crash which killed three people. He  emerged almost unscathed from the mishap which took place in Sudan’s eastern state of Al-Qadarif, where an Mi-17 helicopter carrying him along with six of his aides and two Iranian investors caught fire during take-off.... Read more

22-Feb-12 168039 Bell UH-1Y Yuma, US-California (5F)

Mid air accident between AH-1W and UH-1Y of the US Marine Corps during a night-time exercise  Total of 7 fatalities, 2 in the AH-1W, five in the UH-1Y. The five in the UH-1Y were named later as Capt. Michael M. Quin, 28, of Purcellville, VA, Sgt. Justin A. Everett, 33, of Clovis, CA, Lance Cpl.... Read more

22-Feb-12 160107 Bell AH-1W Yuma, US-California (2F)

Mid air accident between AH-1W and UH-1Y of the US Marine Corps during a night-time exercise  Total of 7 fatalities, 2 in the AH-1W, five in the UH-1Y.  The two in the AH-1W were named later as Maj. Thomas A. Budrejko, 37, of Montville, CT and Capt. Benjamin N. Cerniglia, 31, of Montgomery, AL See... Read more

18-Feb-12 D-HEDV CHR Safari Lahr, Germany (1F)

Crashed and caught fire.  Sole occupant (Gustl Schrempp – the owner) killed.... Read more

14-Feb-12 Mil Mi-8 Sundo Island, North Korea (5F)

A North Korean helicopter crash has killed five of the Stalinist country`s Cabinet-level officials, including Commerce Minister Kim Bong Chol... Read more

11-Feb-12 EY-106 Mil Mi-8 Zabul Province, Afghanistan (4F)

Operated by Central Asian Aviation Services on behalf of logistics company Supreme Group.  4 fatalities were nationals of Tajikistan, including the son of the deputy defense minister, and helicopter was registered there.... Read more

04-Feb-12 VH-COK Robinson R44 Jaspers Brush, Australia (2F)

Crashed during take off, subsequent fire destroyed the aircraft.  Passenger named as film maker Mike DeGruy and pilot was the aircraft owner, Andrew Wight, of Great Wight Productions P/L.... Read more

19-Jan-12 Sikorsky CH-53D Helmand Province, Afghanistan (6F)

The ceceased were named as Capt. Daniel Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, WA; Capt. Nathan McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, IL; Master Sgt. Travis Riddick, 40, of Centerville, IA; Cpl. Jesse Stites, 23, of North Beach, MD; Cpl. Kevin Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, NJ; and Cpl. Joseph Logan, 22, of Willis, TX... Read more

19-Jan-12 N369TL Robinson R44 St Mary Parish, US-Louisiana (2K)

Crashed in marshy area, killing both POB.   pilot named as Jason McKean, 40,  and passenger Lanny Ledet, 43.... Read more

18-Jan-12 YV1985 Bell 206L4 Canaima National Park, Venezuela (5F)

Tourist flight.  May be weather related.  Pilot named as Henry Francisco Viana Arias, with passengers Adriana Recao, Carlos Garmendia, Alvaro Trayer y Gerardo Barreto... Read more

17-Jan-12 C-FMPG Eurocopter AS350B3 Cultus Lake, Canada (1F)

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

16-Jan-12 N5748M Bell 214ST Nadi-Ali, Afghanistan (3F)

Helicopter of AAR Airlift crashed while operating for US Dept of Defense.  3 fatalities.  Type/registration not known at this time.... Read more

15-Jan-12 Robinson R22 San Liberato, Italy (2F)

Crashed after hitting cables on approach to airfield, killing Filippo Sini, 39, and Vittorio Mestichelli, 57.  [Warning – some photos in the Italian press show at least one of the bodies without it being covered up]... Read more

11-Jan-12 SE-JPZ Robinson R44 Mosjøen, Norway (2F)

Reindeer herd owner and his Swedish pilot were herding the animals assisted by people on scooters when the accident happened. Heavy snow was reported in the area at the time.  “The weather was bad and visibility was minimal,” Geir Mortensen, press spokesperson for the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Northern Norway, tells NRK.... Read more

06-Jan-12 G-CHZN Robinson R22 Witchford, UK (1F)

While on planned route Manston to Fenland, crashed in open field.  Helicopter ended upside down with roof of cabin and rotorhead apparently taking the bulk of the impact – tail boom mainly undamaged.  Port skid had been ripped off, and tail was separated but only a few metres away from the boom.  Registration confirmed in... Read more

30-Dec-11 El-Obeid, Sudan (6F)

“Russian-made gunship helicopter” crashed three minutes after take-off.  Post fire crash.  6 killed.... Read more

26-Dec-11 N5016M Bell 206B Palatka, US-Florida (3F)

3 died when their JetRanger crashed en route from Jacksonville to Gainesville to retrieve a heart meant for a patient at the Mayo Clinic, police and hospital officials said.  The crash killed cardiac surgeon Luis Bonilla, procurement technician David Hines and pilot Hoke Smith shortly before 6 a.m. in a dense pine forest southwest of Green... Read more

24-Dec-11 VH-SYZ AgustaWestland AW139 Carrington Falls, Australia (1F)

During winch operations, something occurred at the bottom of the line which has necessitated the cutting of the winch line and releasing it from the helicopter.  As a result, paramedic Michael Wilson on the end of the line received injuries from which he died.  No implication on the helicopter itself, more about the environment.... Read more

23-Dec-11 Southeast Iran, Iran (2F)

Two killed after a police helicopter hit telecom tower,  located on a base of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.  Some reports say 3 killed, not 2... Read more

20-Dec-11 ZS-HHW Bell B206 Sun City, South Africa (1F)

Helicopter caught zip wire cable, causing it to crash.  Sole occupant fatal, later named as businessman Arie Neven.  Was reported as inbound from Wonderboom to pick up one person and then planned outbound to Bakubunt... Read more

15-Dec-11 YV-2717 Eurocopter Bo105 Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela (1F)

Crashed and burned in a residential area on a post maintenance test flight.  1 fatal from 2POB – Pilot Pedro Malaver survived and engineer Edsel Pachecho did not.... Read more

12-Dec-11 Bell OH-58D Lewis-McChord, US-Washington (2F) [1 of 2]

One of two OH-58Ds which crashed around the same time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on night training flights.  Each involved 2 fatalities.  Not yet released whether it was one accident or two. The four were named as Capt. Anne M. Montgomery, and Chief Warrant Officers Frank A. Buoniconti, Joseph S. Satterfield and Lucas Daniel Sigfrid... Read more

12-Dec-11 Bell OH-58D Lewis-McChord, US-Washington (2F) [2 of 2]

One of two OH-58Ds which crashed around the same time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on night training flights.  Each involved 2 fatalities.  Not yet released whether it was one accident or two. The four were named as Capt. Anne M. Montgomery, and Chief Warrant Officers Frank A. Buoniconti, Joseph S. Satterfield and Lucas Daniel Sigfrid... Read more

09-Dec-11 PR-KLA Robinson R44 Sao Bento do Sul, Brazil (1F)

Impacted terrain. The commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed... Read more

07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2 Las Vegas, US-Nevada (5F)

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-11 ZK-IMB Eurocopter AS350BA Matai Bay, New Zealand (2F)

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

30-Nov-11 UR-14322 Mil Mi-2 Kapitanovka, Ukraine (1F)

Impacted ground in fog while on low level pipeline patrol.  2POB, 1 fatal... Read more

28-Nov-11 C-GVAR Robinson R22 Waterloo, Canada (1F)

Appeared to lose power approximately one mile south of the airport. The helicopter was observed in a rapid descent into a wooded area south of the airport. 1 fatal, 1 injured.  Fatality later named as instructor Tiffany Hanna, 29.  CADAORS 2011O3540... Read more

24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44 Hackensack, US-Minnesota (1F)

went down into Ten Mile Lake, near Hackensack, MN killing pilot John Zacher, whose body was found the next day.  His wife Vicki Zacher was the only passenger and survived.... Read more

18-Nov-11 RA-04348 Robinson R44 Litvintseva, Russia (1F)

Sole occupant pilot Yevgeniy Kurbatov killed.  High energy impact with terrain, helicopter broken in many parts, but no sign of post crash fire.  Reported as low time pilot with only 20 hours experience, and flying at night.  Helicopter was found on 26th November by a volunteer search team Liza Alert the day after the state... Read more

15-Nov-11 Mil Mi-8 Badondo, Congo (1F)

“An M18 helicopter crashed while landing in the region of Bandondo,”... Read more

12-Nov-11 G-WOOW MD Helicopters MD369E Andratx, Spain (2F)

Fatal crash killing two British males named in this article as Mark Blaver-Mann and Alistair Evans.  Helicopter was completely burnt out... Read more

11-Nov-11 Kismayo, Somalia (9F)

Nine people are believed to have died after a French helicopter crashed near Somalia’s Southern port city of Kismayo... Read more

11-Nov-11 XC-UHP Eurocopter AS332L1 Temamatla, Mexico (8F)

Crashed killed Interior Secretary Francisco Blake and seven others.  NOTE, there is a question over which aircraft was involved.  Local reports (links 1 and 2 below) say XC-UHP (which is serial 2084)  but the NTSB report (link 3)  says XC-UHM (2127)... Read more

11-Nov-11 HB-ZJN AgustaWestland AW109E Marcucci, Italy (3F)

Three killed, cause unknown but low visibility reported in the area... Read more

10-Nov-11 N11QV Eurocopter EC130 Molokai, US-Hawaii (5F)

Crashed into a mountainside on a sightseeing tour.  All 5 POB perished, including pilot Nathan Cline and Pennsylvania residents Michael and Nicole Abel who were only married five days earlier.  The other two were later named as Stuart Roberston and Eva Birgitta Wannersjo from Ontario, Canada... Read more

09-Nov-11 I-DAMS Eurocopter AS365N3 Mineo, Italy (1F)

Crashed into a hill in poor weather during an EMS flight with 5POB.  Co pilot Sergio Torre fatally injured.  The aircraft had taken off from the hospital in Caltanissetta and was bound for Messina... Read more

02-Nov-11 C-GDQH Bell B206L Kapuskasing, Canada (3F)

3 POB all fatally injured. CADAORS 2011O3324.  Deceased named as pilotGreg Sawyer (39) and two engineers with forest products company Tembec -Dan Simis (47) and Chad McQuade (37)... Read more

02-Nov-11 MD Helicopters 500MD Wonju, Korea (1F)

Emergency landing on a mountain during an annual Hoguk military exercise Wednesday, killing one army officer and injuring another... Read more

29-Oct-11 N165EH Eurocopter AS350B2 Illamna, US-Alaska (1F)

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

21-Oct-11 XC-EDM AgustaWestland AW109S Del Carmen Coyoacán, Mexico (2F)

Crashed into a built-up area.  Pilot Juan Manuel Ruiz Rivera and Metropolitan Development Secretary Fernando Alberto Garcia Cuevas survived.   Two fatally injured – as Julio Cesar Macerano, Garcia Cuevas’ assistant, and the co-pilot of the aircraft, Juan Esteban Rodriguez.... Read more

20-Oct-11 Eurocopter AS355NP Vileity, Belarus (5F)

Belarus Border Guard AS355NP crashed and caught fire, killing all 5POB including three television crew named as Vitaly Prochkovsky, 36; Sergei Shamalov, 39; and Yulia Shaternik, 28.  The crew were reported as Andrew Pekarsky (32 years) and Igor Skvortsov.  They operate three AS355NPs – EW-308BH (5773), EW-309BH (5774) and EW-310BH (5781)... Read more

19-Oct-11 VT-BSH HAL Dhruv Ranchi, India (3F)

A BSF (Border Security Force) helicopter on anti-Naxal duty crashed on the outskirts of Ranchi today, killing two pilots and a technician on board. The Dhruv was going to Chaibasa from Ranchi when its engine caught fire and it crashed in Khunti jungle, a senior BSF official said.  Aircraft completely burnt out.  Pilot named as... Read more

18-Oct-11 OO-HCI Eurocopter EC120B Micheroux, Belgium (2F)

Having taken off from Spa on a surveillance flight for the Fluxys company, helicopter crashed in a private garden killing 2 POB.  The owner of the land described the weather as low cloud and windy gusts.... Read more

16-Oct-11 Liboi, Kenya (5F)

“Late Sunday evening, a military helicopter crashed and caught fire inside Kenya from an apparent mechanical malfunction, a diplomat and a resident said. No civilian casualties were reported but the status of the pilots on board was not immediately known.”... Read more

05-Oct-11 C-FHTT Bell 206B Drayton Valley, Canada (1F)

Crashed in field 2km from airport it was on approach to.  Sole occupant pilot did not survive. Fellow pilots said thick fog made flying conditions treacherous at that time... Read more

04-Oct-11 N63Q Bell 206B New York, US-New York (2F)

Took off to about 20ft, then started spinning and ditched shortly after.  Sonia Marra Nicholson, aged 40, died after being trapped inside the helicopter. Her girlfriend Helen Tomaski died from her injuries the next week.  Her mother Harriet was in critical condition later in the day after being pulled unconscious from the water.  Her 72-year-old... Read more

03-Oct-11 JA508A Eurocopter AS350B3 Kioykawa, Japan (1F)

Two serious injuries, post crash fire.  Pilot later died from his injuries... Read more

02-Oct-11 ZK-HLL Robinson R44 Samoa (1F)

A tuna boat based helicopter crashed into the sea, with only one of the two crew members recovered.  34-year-old pilot Mexican pilot, Eduardo Lavalle lost his life.... Read more

01-Oct-11 Bell UH-1H Mount Sinumaan, Philippines (3F)

Reported mechanical problems, crashed onto mountain and rolled for some distance... Read more

01-Oct-11 N266CY Robinson R66 Philip, US-South Dakota (1F)

Haakon County Sheriff Mel Smith told local radio station that the helicopter crashed in a pasture a mile south of Philip. Sole occupant 64-year-old pilot James Hladky was pronounced dead at the scene.... Read more

30-Sep-11 CC-CIS Bell 212 Bienservida, Spain (1F)

Accident between EC-GIC and CC-CIS both 212s involved in re-filling their water tanks during fire-fighting operations.  Pilot Leo Janssen, flying CC-CIS was killed.  Pilot Manuel Fuertes in EC-GIC survived... Read more

28-Sep-11 Bell AH-1W Helmand Province, Afghanistan (1F)

First Lt. Ryan K. Iannelli, died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Air Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, MCAS New River, N.C.... Read more

25-Sep-11 PK-OCV Bell 412 Sumbawa Besar, Indonesia (2F)

Bell 412 missing and later found crashed.pter with two POB missing, reported elsewhere as PK-OCV .... Read more

23-Sep-11 N8324F Robinson R44 Curren, US-Michigan (2F)

Wooded area of Alcona County.  Fatalities listed as owner Dan Logghe, 46, and an employee of his, Mark May aged 33.  Failed to return on 23-Sep, hence listed as date.  But they had been away and potentially out of contact for a few days, so this may not have been the actual accident day.... Read more

19-Sep-11 EC-JRY Agusta-Bell 412 La Peza, Spain (3F)

Firefighting helicopter on ferry flight.  High momentum terrain impact, fire followed.... Read more

19-Sep-11 Bell AH-1W Camp Pendleton, US-California (2F)

The helicopter went down at approximately 1:00 p.m. Monday in a training area in the southeast corner of Camp Pendleton.  A small brush fire broke out as a result of the crash. Fire crews are on scene working to contain the flames.  The two fatalities were later named as Capt. Jeffrey Bland, 37, and 1st... Read more

16-Sep-11 C-GJUP Eurocopter AS350B1 Tulameen, Canada (1F)

Helicopter was reported missing and found four days later by a pilot from Wildcat Helicopters who was operating on unrelated work in the search area.; Pilot named as Rod Phillipson... Read more

14-Sep-11 F-HFBI Eurocopter AS350B3 Vallorcine, France (4F)

Tail rotor struck a cable while on a reconaissance flight.  Two occupants thrown clear of the helicopter and two trapped inside.  Piloting the helicopter was Jacques Fouque, an experienced pilot and mountain guide, the engineering director of the Emosson dam Regis Desmus, Jean-Marc Mermillod, from IG3M a company specialising in lifts and cable work and... Read more

14-Sep-11 EP-617 Mil Mi-171 Chorobamba, Peru (2F)

Shot down by rebels of Sendero Luminoso when flying over the region of the rivers Apurimac and Ene. Two fatalities named as Lt. Col. Ernesto Vasquez Esneider Silvaand Captain Alberto Campos Vidarte Jenner... Read more

10-Sep-11 PR-CEC Robinson R44 Vale do Encantado, Brazil (2F)

Helicopter took off from Santos Dumont airport at about 20h on Saturday and fell about 30 minutes later, in the middle of the Tijuca Forest killing both occupants.   A local resident said there was much fog on the site at the time.  Pilot named as Erick Ramiro Freitas, 25, son of Elzo Padilha Freitas, owner... Read more

08-Sep-11 VH-RDU Eurocopter AS350B Shoalwater Bay, Australia (2F)

The helicopter was reported by a passenger to have crashed while conducting a communications tower maintenance task. The police have advised that of the 3 POB there are two deceased and one injured.... Read more

03-Sep-11 VH-HCA Robinson R44 Newman, Australia (1F)

The pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The helicopter was destroyed.  Pilot reported as Matthew Charles Wilson, 37, and his 23-year-old male passenger, an Irish backpacker working for a survey company, was seriously injured... Read more

02-Sep-11 12752 Soko 341H Gazelle Herceg Novi, Montenegro (3F)

Helicopter made contact with a wall and crashed onto rocks close to the shoreline.  The crash killed pilot Lt. Å ahbaz Belhadin (44), Major Ivan Obradovic (36) and Vidoje Tomic (35), a sergeant first class.... Read more

30-Aug-11 PP-CLE Robinson R44 Sao Sebastiao, Brazil (3F)

IMC prevailed in the area at the time of the accident and a VFR flight plan was filed for the flight from Campo dos Amarais Airport (SDAM), Campinas, Brazil, to Angra dos Reis, State of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.   All three occupants killed.... Read more

28-Aug-11 YJ-HEL Hughes 369D South Malakula, Vanuatu (1F)

Crashed in mountainous terrain.  Two passengers survived with serious injuries, but pilot Phil Cotter, age 62, died. Uncorroborated reports quote cargo net round the main rotor head.... Read more

27-Aug-11 C-GEBY Robinson R44 Saint-Ferdinand, Canada (4F)

Helicopter went down around 9.15pm killing four members of the same family – named as R44 owner Yvon Beaudoin, 65, his partner, 67-year-old Marie-Paule Frechette, his son Eric Beaudoin, 43, and his granddaughter, 8-year-old Melizandre Beaudoin.  CADORS 2011Q1877... Read more

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