What happened
On June 9, 2009, at approximately 2135 mountain daylight time, an Agusta S.p.A. A-109E helicopter, registration N606SP, struck terrain near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The aircraft was being operated by the New Mexico State Police on a public search and rescue mission under 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter had departed Santa Fe Municipal Airport earlier that evening at approximately 1850 under visual meteorological conditions. However, when the helicopter departed a remote landing site at approximately 2132, instrument meteorological conditions were prevailing. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules.
The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries to the commercial pilot and one passenger, and 1 serious injury to a highway patrol officer who was serving as a spotter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.