Eurocopter AS 350 B2 accident near Kingfisher, Oklahoma, July 23, 2010
On July 23, 2010, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (helicopter), registered N918EM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Kingfisher, Oklahoma. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s impaired judgment, due to medications, which led to an abrupt low-level maneuver and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2010
- Place
- Kingfisher, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · all AS 350 B2s on the register
- Registration
- N918EM · registry record · serial 3107
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The surviving paramedic reported that while en route to the destination hospital to pick up a patient, a conversation began about flying on a coyote hunt. The pilot abruptly began a low-level maneuver in an attempt to demonstrate a coyote hunt flight. As the pilot maneuvered at low level, the helicopter and main rotor blades impacted trees and then terrain. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Toxicological testing performed on specimens from the pilot detected the presence of numerous medications, including hydrocodone (a prescription narcotic for pain treatment), diazempam (a prescription medication with sedative effects) and chlorpheniramine (an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine). It is likely that these medications would have impaired the pilot’s judgment and ability to maintain control of the helicopter. A review of the pilot’s medical history found medical treatment for several conditions that were not reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, the certificate holder, or the operator.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Prescription medication › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › (general) › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 12,240 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 20, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,355 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 28, 2010; 165 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,961 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL 1D1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Eaglemed LLC
The flight
- Departed from: OK19 Oklahoma City OK
- Destination: Okeene OK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.