Preliminary Report: Eurocopter crashes in Arizona

Eurocopter EC135, Cave Creek, Ariz. Feb. 14, 2010–The twin-turbine helicopter was destroyed and the commercial pilot and four passengers were killed when it crashed soon after takeoff on a Part 91 flight from a private facility near Flagstaff. According to witnesses who heard “popping” sounds emanating from the EC135, the helicopter rotated in a level circle two or three times at an altitude of approximately 300 feet before it nosed over in an almost vertical descent and crashed.