# Accident 20231121016689A: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, Dodge Center, MN, November 21, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 21, 2023, 21:00 local time
- Place: Dodge Center, MN
- Airport: Dodge Center
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: S6GA
- Location: 44.0090° N, 92.7340° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0090&lon=-92.7340&mi=10
- Aircraft: N423NM, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N423NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3 (registry code 5620038, https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-helicopters-deutschland-ec135t3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Safran ARRIUS-2B2 (registry code 59991, https://openairdocs.org/engine/safran-arrius-2b2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135T3
- Reported engine: SAFRAN ARRIUS 2B2
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA053) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231121016689A

## Narrative

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

WHILE RETURNING TO THE AIRCRAFT BASE AFTER DEPARTING A LOCAL HOSPITAL, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A FLOCK OF BIRDS AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING AT ROUGHLY 2200’ MSL OR 1100’ AGL WITH THE AUTOPILOT ENGAGED AND AIRSPEED SET TO ABOUT 135KTS.  THE PIC WAS WEARING NIGHT VISION GOGGLES (NVGS) FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE PIC SAW MULTIPLE BIRDS JUST BEFORE IMPACT AND GRABBED THE CYCLIC TO PULL BACK AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DUCKED DOWN TO PROTECT HIS FACE. BOTH WINDSCREENS WERE COMPROMISED ON IMPACT. THE PIC SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT AND VERIFIED THAT THE TWO MEDICAL STAFF WERE OK. THE PIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING FINE AND INITIATED A CLIMB TO 3000’ MSL.  THE PIC HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING DUE TO COLD AIR RUSHING IN HIS FACE AND DECIDED TO REMOVE THE NVGS AND LOWER THE CLEAR VISOR. THE PIC ELECTED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY AIRPORT.  WHILE ON SHORT FINAL TO THE DIVERSION AIRPORT, THE PIC NOTICED A PIECE OF WINDSCREEN (APPROXIMATELY EIGHT INCHES) IN BETWEEN THE ANTI-TORQUE PEDALS. THE PIC REQUESTED THE MEDIC IN THE CO-PILOT SEAT TO REMOVE THEIR SEATBELT TO REACH DOWN AND REMOVE THE WINDSCREEN. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT EVENT AND THE MEDIC SAFELY BUCKLED BACK UP PRIOR TO LANDING, WHICH WAS ALSO UNEVENTFUL. THE PIC NOTED SOME KNEE PAIN AND SEVERAL SCRATCHES TO ANKLES.  THE MEDIC IN THE CO-PILOT SEAT HAD A SMALL CUT ON THEIR WRIST.  THE THIRD CREWMEMBER HAD NO INJURIES. THE ENTIRE FLIGHT WAS 13 MINUTES FROM TAKEOFF TO TOUCHDOWN AND 7 MINUTES FROM BIRD IMPACT.

## 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 CEN24LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA053), Nov 22, 2023: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3 (N423NM), Dodge Center, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a flock of birds.

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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