Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The pilot of a medevac helicopter that crashed into a South Florida apartment building last month noticed two loud “bangs” from the rear of the helicopter and a fire indication on the number one engine, according to a preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The 1999 <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-08-29/broward-air-ambulance-helicopter-crash-kills-two">Airbus EC135T1 went down</a> shortly after departing Pompano Beach Airpark (KPMP) en route to a traffic accident on the morning of August 28. A paramedic aboard the aircraft was killed, as was a resident of the apartment building. Another paramedic sustained serious injuries, while the pilot suffered minor injuries. The helicopter was operated by the Broward County Sheriff’s Fire Rescue Office.
According to the NTSB report, the pilot heard the first bang from the rear of the helicopter after taking off and then “noticed that the turbine outlet temperature (TOT) was rising on the No. 1 engine. He set the No.1 engine throttle to idle, declared an emergency to air traffic control, and reversed direction to return to the airport.
“He scanned the cockpit instrument panel and noticed that the No.1 engine fire button had illuminated. He pressed the button to activate the fire-suppression system; however, the TOT continued to rise on the No. 1 engine. The pilot subsequently heard a second ‘bang,’ and was unable to control the helicopter. It spun and descended into an apartment building.”
Video footage shows an in-flight fire burning near the engine exhaust and the tail boom partially separating in flight before the helicopter entered a right spin. The tail boom was recovered 30 feet from the main wreckage, which was consumed in a post-crash fire.
The helicopter was powered by two Safran Arrius 2B1 670-shp engines. Its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on May 23, 2023, when the airframe had 5,557.1 total hours, and the engines had 5,327.2 hours since new and 2,251.3 hours since a 2016 overhaul. The aircraft's last inspection was conducted 24 hours before the accident.
Following the accident, Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony again appealed to the county commission to fund the purchase of replacement helicopters, citing the age of the current fleet. Tony said he had been lobbying for replacement helicopters for several years before the accident and had last made a formal appeal in June, when he warned commissioners of the safety risks of operating aging aircraft.
Last week, the commission approved $15 million for the purchase of an Airbus H145. The vote was 8-0. The commission is currently exploring ways to fund a second new helicopter.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Medevac Helicopter Pilot Heard Loud 'Bang' Before Crash

Sound came from rear prior to fatal accident

The pilot of a medevac helicopter that crashed into a Florida apartment building in August noticed two loud bangs and a fire indicator, according to the NTSB.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

More In Rotorcraft

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN