Preliminary information
On August 8, 2025, about 1946 mountain daylight time, an Airbus AS350 B3, N279AM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot, two crew members and a passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight.
The pilot reported that the flight departed Gila Regional Heliport (NM85) Silver City, New Mexico with a patient, to conduct an air ambulance operation to Memorial Medical Center Heliport (NM77) Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot approached the NM77 helipad to a hover. He then performed a pedal turn to the left and the tail rotor contacted a parking sign that was located near the landing zone.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA249 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 9, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Memorial Medical Center Helipo (NM77)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Eurocopter Llc AS350B3
- N-number
- N279AM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2009
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.