NTSB CAROL · Event
Event CEN24LA053
Registry · N423NM
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND EC135T3
Year of manufacture
2022 · 1 years old at event
TCDS
H88EU · AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH (AHD)
Engine
SAFRAN ARRIUS 2B2 (642 hp)
Seats / Engines
8 seats · 2 engines
Last airworthiness date
20230309
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A507FC
Registrant of record
NORTH MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
An in-flight collision with a flock of birds.
Factual narrative
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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Ability to respond/compensate
- — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Animal(s)/bird(s)-Effect on equipment
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2023_CEN24LA053.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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