# Accident 20220518004889A: Airbus Helicopters AS 350B3, Christmas Valle, OR, May 18, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 18, 2022, 17:30 local time
- Place: Christmas Valle, OR
- Airport: Christmas Valley
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: M3XA
- Location: 43.2362° N, 120.6647° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2362&lon=-120.6647&mi=10
- Aircraft: N851AL, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N851AL-2023-08-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Airbus Helicopters AS 350B3 (registry code 868096A, https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-helicopters-as-350b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Safran ARRIEL-2D (registry code 59997, https://openairdocs.org/engine/safran-arriel-2d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS 350B3
- Reported engine: SAFRAN ARRIEL 2D
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 4
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,083 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR22LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA182) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220518004889A

## Narrative

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

N851AL ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ TEAM ACCEPTED A PATIENT TRANSPORT REQUEST AT 1637HRS (PACIFIC) ON MAY 18, 2022, DEPARTING FROM ST. CHARLES MEDICAL CENTER IN BEND, OR.  DEPARTURE WAS AT 1653PST TO ENROUTSE TO CHRISTMAS VALLEY AIRPORT (62S), ARRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 1733PST.  THE PILOT TERMINATED THE APPROACH TO A HOVER ON THE TAXIWAY, THEN HOVER TAXIED TO THE RAMP AREA IN GROUND EFFECT, TO RENDEZVOUS WITH ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^EMS FOR PATIENT TRANSFER.  THE GROUND AMBULANCE WAS PARKED (STATIONARY) ON THE RAMP AS THE HELICOPTER APPROACHED AT APPROXIMATELY 4.5' AGL. IN STRONG WINDS, THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO LAND, A GUST OF WIND APPEARED TO PUSH THE AIRCRAFT INTO A NOSE LOW - TAIL HIGH ATTITUDE - MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AMBULANCE. THE PILOT APPEARED CORRECT TO PREVENT THE MRB SYSTEM FROM STRIKING THE AMBULANCE BY MANUVERING AFT, AS THE AIRCRAFT MOVED AFT, ANOTHER GUST OF WIND (ESTIMATED TO BE 50MPH BY THE WITNESS) IMPACTED THE AIRCRAFT BROADSIDE.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN BEGAN TO YAW DRIFTING EAST OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA IMPACTING THE GROUND RIGHT SKID FIRST (WHICH COLLAPSED AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT) BEFORE INVERTING AND COMING TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE ON A NORTH EAST HEADING. NO POST CRASH FIRE.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

## 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 WPR22LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA182), May 19, 2022: Airbus Helicopters AS 350B3 (N851AL), Christmas Valley, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain control in high wind conditions while repositioning during a landing attempt, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

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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