# NTSB CEN24LA053: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, N423NM, Dodge Center, MN, November 22, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 21, 2023, 21:00 local (Nov 22, 2023, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Dodge Center, MN
- Coordinates: 44.009, -92.734 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0090&lon=-92.7340&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193462/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193462
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA053

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a flock of birds.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=5620038), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=5620038), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=5620038), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a dark night flight in visual meteorological conditions, an emergency medical services helicopter collided with a flock of birds about 1,100 ft above ground level. The impact shattered the windscreen and caused what the pilot described as an explosion. Despite the damage, the pilot was able to stabilize the helicopter and head towards the nearest airport, about 7.5 miles away. The helicopter landed without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the main rotor blades in the pitch control cuff area and the monocoque structure of the fantail.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N423NM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N423NM), registered now, S/N 2193, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135T3
- Registry model: [Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-helicopters-deutschland-ec135t3) (registry code 5620038) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Safran ARRIUS-2B2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/safran-arrius-2b2) (registry code 59991, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2193
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 420
- Engines: SAFRAN Arrius 2B2 643 horsepower turbo shaft; SAFRAN Arrius 2B2 643 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2023, 23 hours before
- Departed: 99MN, Rochester, MN
- Destination: FBL, Fairbault, MN
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Video recording device, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Heads up display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1; last flight review May 18, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,124 total, 80 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KTOB, 4 nm away
- METAR: KTOB 220255Z AUTO31011G16KT 10SM CLR M02/M04 A3010

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20231121016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231121016689A), Nov 21, 2023: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, Dodge Center, MN, Substantial damage. 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…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193462. 2.2 MB in all.

- NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN24LA053 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16777029&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN24LA053_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array 1 CEN24LA053 (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16914549&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%201%20CEN24LA053-Rel.pdf

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.

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