Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL accident near Bicknell, Utah, December 16, 2014
On December 16, 2014 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1994 Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL (helicopter), registered N352SL, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Bicknell, Utah. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 16, 2014 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bicknell, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL B2, built 1994 · all AS 350 B2 ECUREUILs on the register
- Registration
- N352SL · no longer on the register · serial 2798
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the flight was in support of a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pronghorn animal capture project. During takeoff, the pilot noted that the cockpit gauges were in the green range an indication that the helicopter had enough power available for the weight and density altitude he was operating. The pilot began herding operation, by maneuvering behind a small group of animals and successfully directing them toward the trap configured on the ground. After about 20 minutes, a large group of pronghorn were found and again the pilot maneuvered the helicopter behind them in an effort to herd them toward the trap's funnel. The animals suddenly reversed course and ran directly under the helicopter. In response, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter backward about 50 to 100 feet while applying forward cyclic and maintaining an altitude of about 15 feet above ground level. The helicopter began to settle with power and as he applied up collective, the descent rate increased. The helicopter landed hard and incurred structural damage to the tail boom and bulkhead. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Settling with power/vortex ring state during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 3,500 as pilot in command; 1,300 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 7, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 4,960 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Arriel 1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 38U Loa UT at 3:30 pm
- Destination: 38U Loa UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.