What happened
On January 11, 2019, at approximately 11:45 CST, an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 helicopter, registration N346AE, was involved in a dynamic rollover at Ponca City Regional Airport (PNC) in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The flight was being conducted by Air Evac EMS, Inc. as a positioning flight under Part 91 regulations.
The pilot was repositioning the aircraft due to approaching inclement weather, which included light rain and a temperature of 38°F. During the flight, the front windshields began to fog, prompting the pilot to increase the use of the demister. Upon arrival at the destination, the windshields had become completely obscured by fog.
While hovering near a company hangar, the crewmember alerted the pilot that the aircraft was approaching the hangar located on the left side. The pilot attempted to move the helicopter laterally to the right, utilizing the left chin bubble windshield for visibility. Although the pilot believed the aircraft had sufficient clearance, the right skid made contact with the ground, triggering a dynamic rollover. There were no injuries to the pilot or the crewmember.
The investigation
Mechanical examination of the N346AE revealed that the rotor blades, fuselage, and tail boom sustained substantial damage.