Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+ accident near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, May 31, 2008
On May 31, 2008, a Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+ (helicopter), registered N238AM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Pottsville, Pennsylvania (Mazzuca Heliport airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to ensure that both engine switches were in the FLIGHT position for takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2008
- Place
- Pottsville, Pennsylvania · Mazzuca Heliport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2+
- Registration
- N238AM · registry record · serial 0565
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After taking off on a helicopter emergency medical service mission, the twin-engine helicopter climbed approximately 75 feet. The pilot lowered the nose, but the helicopter would not climb or accelerate normally. The pilot saw 125 percent on one of his gauges, but was not sure which gauge it was as he was looking outside. A "gong" sounded, similar to what the pilot had heard when doing "max takeoffs," but he did not hear an engine-out horn or see any warning lights. The pilot also noticed that one torque indication was declining to "near zero" percent, and the helicopter began to yaw. The pilot was able to correct the yawing moment with anti-torque inputs, and remembered lowering the collective and "pulling pitch" before the helicopter impacted the ground in a level attitude. The No. 1 engine was running as the pilot exited the helicopter, but the No. 2 engine was not. Examinations at the accident site revealed that the helicopter, after lifting off from the heliport, flew out of ground effect over down-sloping terrain, settled, then struck a parked semi-trailer about 80 feet below the heliport. No preimpact mechanical anomalies of the helicopter, engines, or engine switches were found. As part of the pre-takeoff confirmation check, the pilot was required to ensure that both main engine switches were in the FLIGHT position; however, onboard recorded data revealed that the No. 2 main engine switch was in the IDLE position during the takeoff.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 125 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 31, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 162 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 29, 2008; 12 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,415 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air Methods Corporation
The flight
- Departed from: PS95 Pottsville PA
- Destination: Wayne Township PA
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 |
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.