2 fatal · EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 · 2013-02-22 · Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Event
NTSB number
CEN13FA174
Event ID
20130222X12624
Type
Accident
Date
2013-02-22
Location
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Coordinates
35.565555, -97.646942
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
1
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
3
Aircraft
Make
EUROCOPTER
Model
AS 350 B2
Registration
N917EM
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to engine ice ingestion during initial climb after takeoff in dark night light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the lack of an installed engine air inlet cover while the helicopter was parked outside, exposed to precipitation and freezing temperatures before the accident, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that failed to detect ice accumulation in the area of the air inlet.