Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E accident near Suwalki, Pl, April 7, 2016
On April 7, 2016 at about 4:13 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, registered N60EA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Suwalki. It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2016 · about 4:13 pm local time
- Place
- Suwalki, Poland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- N60EA · registry record · serial 0033E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 7, 2016, at 1613 Central European Daylight Time, a McDonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, N60EA, registered to EPC Industries, Inc., and operated by a private entity was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain under unknown circumstances near Suwalki, Poland. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Polish government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Polish government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: The State Commission of Aircraft Accident Investigation (SCAAI) Ministry of Transport and Maritime Economy ul. Chalubinskiego 4/6 00-928 Warszawa 67 Poland
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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N60EA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.