# Accident 20230913011479A: Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC135T2, Fargo, GA, September 13, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 13, 2023, 12:54 local time
- Place: Fargo, GA
- Airport: Valdosta Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: QMLA
- Location: 30.6390° N, 82.6751° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6390&lon=-82.6751&mi=10
- Aircraft: N273AM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N273AM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter Deutschland EC135T2 (registry code 5620032, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-deutschland-ec135t2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL series (registry code 60031, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH EC135T2
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA369) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230913011479A

## Narrative

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

AFTER DEPARTING MIDDLE GEORGIA REGIONAL AIRPORT THE AIRCRAFT DESTINATION WAS TO GAINESVILLE, FL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ENROUTE FOR APPROXIMATLY ONE HOUR WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A VERY STRONG TAIL ROTOR PEDAL VIBRATION.  THE PILOT MADE AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT FROM 1500FT AND PLANNED A LANDING. THE PILOT LANDED SUCCESSFULLY IN A FIELD, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT POWER THE PILOTED EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FENESTRON BLADES HAD SHEARED OFF AND EXITED THROUGH THE FUSELAGE

## 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 ERA23LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA369), Sep 13, 2023: Eurocopter Deutschland EC135T2 (N273AM), Fargo, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the outer span of a tail rotor blade during flight as a result of localized intergranular corrosion due to a diminished protective coating at a critical location on the tail rotor…

## Other reports on N273AM (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20241010014599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241010014599I), Oct 10, 2024: Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC135T2 (N273AM), Lakeland, FL, Minor damage. While conducting night operations in support of hurricane milton, aircraft (helicopter) [privacy data omitted], call sign "AC5", was flying from Lakeland…

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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