Aerospatiale AS350 accident near Montgomery, Texas, March 27, 2019
On March 27, 2019 at about 7:10 pm local time, a 2009 Aerospatiale AS350 (helicopter), registered N818MC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Montgomery, Texas. It was a public-use flight (federal) under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Maintenance personnel's failure to properly re-install and secure a fuel line, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 27, 2019 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Montgomery, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS350 B3, built 2009 · all AS350s on the register
- Registration
- N818MC · no longer on the register · serial 4755
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (federal) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While conducting controlled fire operations, the helicopter was maneuvering over trees, when the engine lost power. The pilot performed an autorotation and the helicopter impacted trees and then terrain, and came to rest on its side. The fuselage and empennage sustained substantial damage. One crewmember was fatally injured. Examination revealed that a fuel line between the engine firewall and hydro-mechanical unit (HMU) was loose and not secured with safety wire as required. About 25 flight hours before the accident, that fuel line was disconnected to defuel of the helicopter in order to perform a weight and balance check. No other maintenance was performed in that area. The mechanic who returned the helicopter to service stated that he was confident that he torqued and secured the line. No other anomalies were detected with the helicopter which would have precluded normal flight. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power due to the loose fuel line.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,760 hours in all; 3,886 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 29, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,027.3 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 4, 2019; 72.4 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Safran Arriel 2B1 (turboshaft); 1,749 hours total
- Operator: Mountain Air Helicopters Inc
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KCXO, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on December 17, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Case Notes | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accreditation Letter from BEA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Email with Maintenance Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Ppe Documentation | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.