AMERICAN EUROCOPTER LLC AS350B3
Las Cruces, NM, August 9, 2025
Event Information
| Date | August 9, 2025 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Las Cruces, NM |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.29199, -106.73650 |
| Airport | Memorial Medical Center Helipo |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | WPR25LA249 |
| Event ID | 20250811200762 |
Aircraft
| Make | AMERICAN EUROCOPTER LLC |
| Model | AS350B3 |
| Registration # | N279AM |
| Operator | AIR METHODS LLC |
| Owner | AIR METHODS LLC |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 135 |
| Aircraft Damage | MINR |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 4 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Full Narrative
On August 8, 2025, about 1946 mountain daylight time, an Airbus AS350 B3, N279AM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot, two crew members and a passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight.
The pilot reported that the flight departed Gila Regional Heliport (NM85) Silver City, New Mexico with a patient, to conduct an air ambulance operation to Memorial Medical Center Heliport (NM77) Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot approached the NM77 helipad to a hover. He then performed a pedal turn to the left and the tail rotor contacted a parking sign that was located near the landing zone.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.