Sunday, September 04, 2022

Bell 407, N687AM: Accident occurred September 04, 2022 in Mount Baldy, San Bernardino County, California

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.  

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Baker, Daniel

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Benny Kim; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California
Air Methods; Denver, Colorado 
Rolls-Royce; Indianapolis, Indiana 

Air Methods Corporation


Location: Mount Baldy, California
Accident Number: WPR22LA333
Date and Time: September 4, 2022, 08:08 Local
Registration: N687AM
Aircraft: Bell 407 
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

On September 4, 2022, at 0808 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N687AM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mount Baldy, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight.

The helicopter was being used to shuttle water and equipment in support of a local charity event. The pilot had completed four shuttle flights and was approaching the main, off-airport landing zone to land when the low rotor RPM (revolutions per minute) warning sounded. He aborted the approach and attempted to increase power. The engine power did not recover, and the pilot performed an autorotation to a nearby road. The helicopter rolled upon landing, which resulted in substantial damage.

The helicopter was retained for examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell 
Registration: N687AM
Model/Series: 407
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commuter air carrier (135)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCCB,1439 ft msl
Observation Time: 08:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C /16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Mount Baldy, CA
Destination: Mount Baldy, CA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 34.243,-117.654 (est)

Rotorcraft experienced loss of power preceding a hard landing and flipped on its side. 

Date: 04-SEP-22
Time: 15:00:00Z
Regis#: N687AM
Aircraft Make: BELL
Aircraft Model: 407
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: MINOR
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Aircraft Operator: AIR METHODS
City: MOUNT BALDY
State: CALIFORNIA


A helicopter pilot was injured Sunday morning when his aircraft crashed on Mt. Baldy in San Bernardino County, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 8 a.m. in the area of Mount Baldy Road and Glendora Ridge Road.

The pilot was the only person on the helicopter. Paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the crash site and treated him at the scene before transporting him to a hospital, the department said.

The extent of the pilot’s injuries was not available.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Mt. Baldy rises to an elevation of over 10,000-feet in the San Gabriel Mountains.

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