Eurocopter AS350 B3, N544AM: Accident October 16, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona

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 Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: 

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Air Methods Corporation

https://registry.faa.gov/N544AM

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Accident Number: WPR22LA018

Date and Time: October 16, 2021, 13:00 Local

Registration: N544AM

Aircraft: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 

Injuries: 4 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Medical emergency)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Eurocopter 

Registration: N544AM

Model/Series: AS 350 B3 Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Amateur Built:

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)

Operator Designator Code: QMLA

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KDMA,2704 ft msl 

Observation Time: 12:58 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C /-1°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 16 knots / , 130°

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR

Departure Point: Nogales, AZ (N/A)

Destination: Tucson, AZ

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 3 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 4 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 32.251697,-110.87932 (est)