Fatal Accident (3) – Eurocopter EC135 P2+, N835CS, near Canton, MS, March 10, 202
ASX Investigation | ||||
On March 10, 2025, an AirCare medical transport helicopter, a Eurocopter EC135 P2+ registered as N835CS and operated by Med-Trans Corporation, crashed in a heavily wooded area near the Natchez Trace Parkway and Highway 43 in Madison County, Mississippi. The aircraft was returning to its base in Columbus after completing a patient transport to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson. There were three crew members on board: a pilot employed by Med-Trans and two medical personnel from UMMC. No patients were being transported at the time of the accident. All three crew members perished in the crash. The helicopter departed from UMMC at approximately 12:25 p.m. and was last tracked at 12:36 p.m. before disappearing from radar. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying normally before it suddenly lost altitude. Flight tracking data indicates that the helicopter was cruising at an altitude of around 2,500 feet before it experienced a rapid and uncontrolled descent, exceeding 5,000 feet per minute in its final moments. The wreckage was found in dense terrain, complicating initial recovery efforts. First responders, including the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Gluckstadt Fire Department, arrived shortly after the crash was reported. Preliminary information suggests that the crew may have encountered a loss of power or other mechanical failure, but no distress call was recorded before the incident. The aircraft had refueled before departure, and no issues were reported at that time. Weather conditions at the time of the crash were favorable, with clear skies and light winds, ruling out adverse weather as a contributing factor. There were no immediate indications of bird strikes or external environmental hazards affecting the flight. The EC135 P2+ is known for its reliability and is equipped with twin Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 engines, which include Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems. Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived on-site shortly after the crash to conduct a full investigation. The focus of the investigation includes possible mechanical failure, human factors, and operational considerations. Given the severity of the descent and impact, experts are examining whether the accident involved a failure in the aircraft’s flight control systems, rotor dynamics, or a catastrophic structural issue. They will also review maintenance records, pilot training history, and air traffic control communications to reconstruct the sequence of events. The EC135 P2+ has an established safety record, with over 1,500 units in operation worldwide. The aircraft’s design includes crash-resistant fuel tanks and energy-absorbing landing gear, features that typically improve survivability in emergency landings. However, the nature of this crash suggests a high-speed impact that would have made survival unlikely. Witness reports and flight data indicate that the helicopter may have experienced a critical failure rather than an attempted controlled emergency landing. UMMC’s AirCare program has operated medical flights since 1996, and this is the first fatal crash in its history. The program operates four helicopters based in Jackson, Meridian, Columbus, and Greenwood, Mississippi. Med-Trans Corporation, a subsidiary of Global Medical Response (GMR), is responsible for operating AirCare’s helicopters and has a fleet of over 100 aircraft across multiple states. The loss of N835CS marks a rare but significant incident in Med-Trans’ operational history. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that there were no survivors, and all next-of-kin notifications were completed before public announcements. The community, including emergency responders and aviation professionals, has expressed condolences for the crew members lost in the crash. UMMC officials have stated that they will cooperate fully with the investigation and provide support to the affected families. The NTSB’s investigation remains ongoing, and a preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks. Investigators will examine wreckage components for evidence of material fatigue, electronic malfunctions, or system failures. While the aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder, onboard telemetry systems and operational logs may provide insights into the moments leading up to the crash. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. | ||||
Accident Information | ||||
Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 3 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 0 |  |
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