What happened
On August 28, 2023, a Eurocopter EC135T1 operating as an air medical flight was dispatched to transport a patient from an automobile accident scene. Approximately 90 seconds after liftoff, while climbing at 300 to 400 feet above ground level near Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), the pilot of N109BC heard a loud bang from the rear of the aircraft. The pilot observed the turbine outlet temperature (TOT) rising on the No. 1 engine.
In response, the pilot set the No. 1 engine throttle to idle, declared an emergency, and turned the aircraft back toward the airport. During this time, the pilot noticed the No. 1 engine fire button had illuminated. Although the pilot attempted to activate the fire suppression system, the No. 1 engine TOT continued to rise, reaching nearly 1,000°C, which exceeded the maximum limit of 895°C. A second loud bang occurred approximately 90 seconds later, after which the pilot lost control of the helicopter. The aircraft entered a right spin and crashed through the roof of a one-story apartment building.
The accident resulted in 2 fatalities, 1 serious injury, and 1 minor injury.