NTSB Report Eurocopter Crash in LaCrosse, WI
NTSB Identification: CHI08FA128
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 10, 2008 in La Crosse, WI
Aircraft: Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 T2+, registration: N135UW
Injuries: 3 Fatal.On May 10, 2008, about 2245 central daylight time, a Eurocopter Deutschland EC135 T2+ air medical configured helicopter, N135UW, operated by Air Methods Corporation, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with trees and terrain near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The flight was conducted in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 without a flight plan. The helicopter’s position was being monitored according to the operator’s flight following procedures. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, physician and flight nurse sustained fatal injuries. The flight departed La Crosse Airport (LSE), La Crosse, Wisconsin, at 2234. The intended destination was the University of Wisconsin Hospital Heliport (WS27) in Madison, Wisconsin.
The helicopter was equipped with global positioning system (GPS) tracking equipment that provided departure, arrival and en route position information to the operator’s Operations Control Center. Flight progress was automatically updated every three minutes. According the GPS flight-following data, the flight initially departed WS27 about 2038 en route to Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The flight arrived at Prairie du Chien about 2113 and picked up a patient. The flight subsequently departed about 2131 and proceeded to Gunderson-Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, arriving about 2154. After dropping off the patient, the crew departed about 2209 and repositioned the helicopter to LSE for refueling. The flight departed LSE, elevation 654 feet, at 2234 with the intention of returning to WS27. No further position updates were received from the accident helicopter.
Local authorities received a 911 call from a resident stating that they thought they had heard an aircraft crash. At 2304, the helicopter operator notified local authorities that the aircraft was missing. A search subsequently located the helicopter wreckage about 0900 the next morning.
The accident site was located on a wooded hillside in a sparsely populated area approximately 4 1/2 miles southeast of LSE. Tree strikes and main rotor blade fragments were observed at the top of the ridgeline. The elevation of the ridge was approximately 1,160 feet at that location. The main wreckage came to rest on the east side of the ridgeline, on the descending hillside opposite the departure airport. It was about 600 feet from the initial tree strikes at the top of the ridgeline, at an elevation of approximately 930 feet.
An employee of the fixed base operator at LSE, who fueled the helicopter, reported moderate rain and fair visibility at the time. He stated the helicopter lifted off and proceeded east-southeast.
At 2253, weather conditions at LSE were recorded as: Calm winds, visibility 8 miles in light rain, few clouds at 1,400 feet above ground level (agl), and overcast clouds at 5,000 feet agl. Fire department personnel reported fog and mist along the ridgeline at the time of the search and rescue operations. NOTE:This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
