Aerospatiale AS350B2 accident near Dietrich, Idaho, June 29, 2014
On June 29, 2014 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1990 Aerospatiale AS350B2 (helicopter), registered N350CR, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Dietrich, Idaho. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s sudden incapacitation from a previously undiagnosed medical condition while in cruise flight, which resulted in his inability to maintain helicopter control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2014 · about 11:30 pm local time · cases in 2014
- Place
- Dietrich, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS350B2 BA, built 1990 · all AS350B2s on the register
- Registration
- N350CR · registry record · serial 2328
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to position the helicopter and its installed camera equipment to the staging area of an intended aerial videography project. He added that the prestart, run-up, and hover checks were uneventful. While proceeding to the staging area, he climbed the helicopter to between about 800 and 1,000 ft above ground level. Shortly thereafter, the pilot lost consciousness, and his next recollection was waking up in an intensive care unit. After the pilot lost consciousness, the front seat passenger attempted to control the helicopter using the cyclic; however, the helicopter eventually collided with terrain. According to medical records regarding the pilot's postaccident hospital treatment, the pilot suffered a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness (known as a syncopal episode) while he was operating the helicopter. Postaccident medical evaluation led to a diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome, a heart condition, which likely caused the pilot's loss of consciousness and his subsequent inability to maintain helicopter control.
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 control in flight during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Cardiovascular › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,405 hours in all; 2,682 in this make and model; 88 in the last 90 days; 39 in the last 30 days; 7,280 as pilot in command; 948 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,887 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 11, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 4,961 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell LTS 101-700D- (turboshaft); 6,518 hours total
- Operator: Reeder Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: TWF Twin Falls ID at 10:30 pm
- Destination: RXE Rexburg ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 19 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KJER
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 12, 2016. 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 | On Board Image Recorder Factual Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Medical Officer Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Airframe & Engine Examination | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N350CR on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Aerospatiale AS350 65 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aerospatiale 178 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Honeywell LTS 101-700D- 8 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Joslin Fld/Magic Valley Regional · departed from
- Rexburg-Madison County · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Idaho 1,535 since 1982 · 287 in the last ten years
- Idaho 4,198 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR14LA272.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.