# NTSB WPR25LA290: Eurocopter EC135, N955AL, Whittier, WA, September 24, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: September 23, 2025, 23:03 local (Sep 24, 2025, 06:03 UTC)
- Place: Whittier, WA · LZ adjacent to I-90 at mile marker 62
- Coordinates: 47.303333, -121.303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3033&lon=-121.3030&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA290
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA290

## Preliminary report

On September 23, 2025, at 2303 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter EC-135 T2+, N955AL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Whittier, Washington. The pilot and three medical crew members received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated by Air Methods, LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight. The pilot stated that while en route back to the helicopter’s base, he received a request to transport a medical patient. The pilot received the scene coordinates and proceeded to the location. Upon arrival, he determined the coordinates were incorrect by a few miles. After circling, he established communication with the landing zone (LZ) commander on the ground and was able to locate the scene. The LZ was located at an interstate highway exit adjacent to the highway, and the surface consisted of gravel and dirt. During his initial approach, he opted to perform a go-around maneuver and then establish an approach from another direction. The pilot further stated that he communicated with the onboard crew throughout the approach about their view and obstructions. The helicopter passed surrounding treetops and light poles and continued to the LZ. As the helicopter descended, the crewmember positioned in the left-front seat communicated that she observed dust accumulating in the air, which the pilot acknowledged. The helicopter continued to descend and, as it neared terrain, the crew’s visibility was reduced by dust/dirt, which the pilot described as “brown out.” According to the pilot, he maintained visual reference to a light on a vehicle parked at the scene, but decided not to abort the landing due to the rising terrain and nearby obstacles surrounding the LZ. As he attempted to maintain the helicopter in a hover about two feet above the ground, the helicopter impacted a mound of gravel and rolled onto its right side. (See Figure 1). The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Figure 1: Accident location (photo courtesy of Federal Aviation Administration)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 T2+, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=5620031), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N955AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N955AL), registered now, S/N 0554, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER EC135 (T2 PLUS)
- Registry model: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 T2+](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-deutschland-ec-135-t2-plus) (registry code 5620031) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIUS-2B2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2b2) (registry code 60012, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0554
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 5933
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 135
- Operator: Air Methods LLC
- Registered owner: Acm El Trust Subsidiary LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 14, 2025
- Departed: KBFI, Tukwila, WA
- Destination: Easton, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: KSMP, 2 nm away
- METAR: METAR KSMP 240556Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 13/03 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP857 T01280033 10183 20128 50001

## 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 20250923012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250923012939A), Sep 23, 2025: Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC 135 T2+, Easton, WA, Substantial damage. At approximately 11:00 pm, an ec 135 T2+ helicopter was dispatched for a FAR 135 helicopter air ambulance (haa) medical transport. Upon arriving at the landing…

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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