Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Eurocopter EC135 P2+, N226SA: Accident occurred June 18, 2022 in Waukesha, Wisconsin

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; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bennett Aviation LLC


Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Accident Number: CEN22LA258
Date and Time: June 18, 2022, 17:10 Local
Registration: N226SA
Aircraft: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND
GMBH EC 135 P2+
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled - Air Medical (Unspecified) 

On June 18, 2022, about 1710 central standard time, an Eurocopter EC-135 P2+ helicopter, N226SA, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Waukesha, Wisconsin. The pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight.

According to the operator, the pilot received a flight request for an inter-facility transfer flight. The intended route of flight was from the aircraft's primary base at Waukesha County Airport (UES) to pick up a patient at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and transport them to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. After departing from UES, about 150-ft AGL, the pilot heard a "thump,” and the helicopter pitched up. The pilot immediately executed an emergency landing, and all occupants exited the helicopter uninjured.

Initial examination of the helicopter revealed that the Fenestron retention cap of the tail rotor was missing. All parts were located and secured with the helicopter for further examinations.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Registration: N226SA
Model/Series: EC 135 P2+ 
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: UES
Observation Time: 16:45 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C /2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 80°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.28 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Waukesha, WI
Destination: Elkhorn, WI (0W13)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None
Latitude, Longitude: 43.039627,-88.239269

Rotorcraft heard a loud bang after departure and the Fenestron cover had come into contact with the Fenestron blades.

Date: 18-JUN-22
Time: 22:09:00Z
Regis#: N226SA
Aircraft Make: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
Aircraft Model: EC135
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: INITIAL CLIMB (ICL)
Operation: 91
City: WAUKESHA
State: WISCONSIN

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