N586AE —

On June 27, 2008, at 0341 mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3, N586AE, collided with terrain near Ash Fork, Arizona. Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., (PHI) was operating the helicopter as a positioning flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated airline transport pilot and two medical crewmembers sustained serious injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from a fixed base location in Prescott, Arizona, and was en route to a highway vehicle accident to pickup a medical patient. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot reported that the helicopter departed Prescott at 0315, and that as he approached the landing zone, he observed a fire department truck parked in his way. He changed his approach path to avoid the truck, and at an altitude of 200 feet agl encountered a heavy dust cloud. He elected to go-around and perceived the helicopter to be gaining altitude; however, the helicopter then impacted the ground. The pilot reported that he was using a pair of night vision glasses. Three persons on board the helicopter survived the crash and were hospitalized. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20080708X00989&key=1