No fatalities

EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B2 accident at Silverton, WA, 9 Sept 2023

Silverton, WA, United States

On September 9, 2023, an EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B2 operated by WORLDWIND HELICOPTERS INC was involved in an aviation accident near Silverton, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Contributed to outcomeAltitude — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Sept 2023 EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B2 accident near Silverton, WA?

The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water.

Were there any fatalities in the 9 Sept 2023 EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Sept 2023 involved an EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350B2, operated by WORLDWIND HELICOPTERS INC, at Silverton, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain visual reference and altitude while maneuvering over a lake during dusk conditions, which resulted in the helicopter impacting water.