# Accident 20211016019809A: Eurocopter AS 350 B3, Tucson, AZ, October 16, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 16, 2021, 11:00 local time
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: QMLA
- Location: 32.2517° N, 110.8793° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2517&lon=-110.8793&mi=10
- Aircraft: N544AM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N544AM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (registry code 8680954, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1 (registry code 60056, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 2B1
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,188 total, 160 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR22LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA018) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211016019809A

## Narrative

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

DURING LANDING TO AN ELEVATED HOSPITAL HELIPAD, THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE HANDLE OF A LARGE FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATED ON THE HELIPAD. THE TAIL ROTOR AND TAIL BOOM SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## 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 WPR22LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA018), Oct 16, 2021: Airbus A350 (N544AM), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground equipment during landing.

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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