Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3 accident near Dodge Center, Minnesota, November 22, 2023
On November 22, 2023 at about 3:00 am local time, a 2022 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, registered N423NM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Dodge Center, Minnesota. It was a positioning flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with a flock of birds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2023 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Dodge Center, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airbus Helicopters Deutschland EC135T3, built 2022 · all EC135T3s on the register
- Registration
- N423NM · registry record · serial 2193
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Birdstrike during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- 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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,124 hours in all; 80 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 18, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 420 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 10, 2023; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,570 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Safran Arrius 2B2 (turboshaft); 420 hours total
- Engine 2: Safran Arrius 2B2 (turboshaft); 420 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 99MN Rochester MN at 2:51 am
- Destination: FBL Fairbault MN
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 310° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from KTOB, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTOB 220255Z AUTO31011G16KT 10SM CLR M02/M04 A3010
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 1 | ||
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24LA053.