Eurocopter AS 350B2 Ecureuil, N841BP: Accident occurred May 12, 2021 at Clarence E. Page Municipal Airport (KRCE), Yukon, Canadian County, Oklahoma

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

Airbus Helicopters; Grand Prairie, Texas

Safran Helicopter Engines; Grand Prairie, Texas

United States Customs and Border Protection; Tucson, Arizona 

United States Department of Homeland Security

https://registry.faa.gov/N841BP

Location: Yukon, OK 

Accident Number: CEN21LA216

Date & Time: May 12, 2021, 15:30 Local 

Registration: N841BP

Aircraft: Aerospatiale AS350 B2 ECUREUIL

Injuries: 2 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Public aircraft

On May 12, 2021 about 1530 Central Daylight Time, an Aerospatiale (Airbus) AS350 B2, helicopter, N841BP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Yukon, Oklahoma. The pilot and flight instructor received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 public aircraft instructional flight.

According to the crew, the flight was intended flight was for the Initial Pilot Certification course for the AS350 B2. The flight departed the Roy Rogers International Airport (OKC) for Clarence Page Municipal Airport (RCE) to conduct training maneuvers. After arrival at RCE, they conducted several approaches to the airport, including confined area and pinnacle approaches. They then conducted several simulated emergencies, which required the helicopter’s hydraulic system to be turned off; and then turned back on at the conclusion of the procedure.

After the simulated emergencies, they then proceeded to conduct a series of ‘quick stops’. After the third quick stop, the pilot reported he heard a traffic call for the runway, and the flight instructor indicated that they would expedite and clear the runway. The pilot reported that they made another quick-stop, and made an immediate left turn. During the turn, he noticed a left yaw and application of the anti-torque pedals did not correct the condition. The flight instructor reported that he pushed forward on the cyclic to gain airspeed. He also added that the “control loads were excessive,” and he noticed the HYDR light on the caution panel was illuminated.

The helicopter entered a spin before the main rotor blades impacted terrain. The helicopter then rolled over and came to rest on its side. Both occupants were able to exit the helicopter before a post-crash fire consumed the majority of the helicopter.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Aerospatiale 

Registration: N841BP

Model/Series: AS350 B2 ECUREUIL 

Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Amateur Built: No

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KRCE

Observation Time: 16:15 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 

Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C /10°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 20°

Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 6000 ft AGL

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.29 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Departure Point: Yukon, OK 

Destination: Yukon, OK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 Minor 

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: On-ground

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Minor

Latitude, Longitude: 35.491833,-97.821178 (est)