# Accident 20041214030089A: Urocop AS350B3, Apache Junctio, AZ, December 14, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 14, 2004, 22:35 local time
- Place: Apache Junctio, AZ
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: HEEA
- Location: 33.4083° N, 111.4525° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4083&lon=-111.4525&mi=10
- Aircraft: N971AE, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N971AE-2005-09-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (registry code 8680954, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER (registry code 60030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UROCOP AS350B3
- Reported engine: TMECA ARRIEL1S
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 4,600 total, 80 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX05FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA053) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041214030089A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A MEDICAL EVACUATION MISSION AT 3003 W. APACHE TRAIL IN APACHE JUNCTION, AZ. THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE LANDING ZONE FROM THE SOUTHWEST AND CIRCLED NORTH TO MAKE A FINAL APPROACH TO THE SOUTHWEST. WHILE AT ABOUT 300' AGL THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT ABOUT 30 DEGREES THEN TO THE LEFT ABOUT 30 DEGREES AND THEN TO THE RIGHT AGAIN ABOUT 45 DEGREES, IT THEN PITCHED NOSE UP THEN DOWN AND PLUNGED TO THE GROUND ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE APACHE JUNCTION POLICE DEPT WAS ON SCENE TO SECURE THE LANDING ZONE AND WITNESSED THE EVENT. IN THIS ACCIDENT PETROLEUM HELICOPTERS WAS BDA AIR EVAC, INC.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX05FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA053), Dec 15, 2004: Eurocopter AS-350-B3 (N971AE), Apache Junction, AZ, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of control during the final approach to land for undetermined reasons.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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