The Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engined light helicopter

Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

 originally manufactured by Aérospatiale

Aérospatiale

Aérospatiale was a French aerospace manufacturer that built both civilian and military aircraft, rockets and satellites. It was originally known as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale...

 (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2

Eurocopter AS355

The Eurocopter AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale...

 (marketed in North America as the TwinStar.) is a twin-engined variant, while the Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe.

Design and development

Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974. Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS350 remains strong.

The Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary of Eurocopter signed a contract for a major upgrade program on the Brazilian Army’s fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils.

Operational history

On May 14, 2005 an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle (:fr:Didier Delsalle) touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,850 metres (29,035 feet). This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...

.

On April 29, 2010 a stripped-down AS350 B3 succeeded in rescuing three alpinists from Annapurna

Annapurna

Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over and 16 more over ....

, Nepal

Nepal

Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...

 at 7,100 m (23,2939 feet), one at a time, the highest such rescue.

Single engine

AS350

Prototype.

AS350 Firefighter

Fire fighting version.

AS350B

Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel

Turbomeca Arriel

-External links:*...

 1B engine.

AS350 B1

Improved version of the original AS350B, which is powered by one Arriel 1D engine, type also fitted with AS355 main rotor blades, AS355 tail rotor with tabs and a tail rotor servo.

Higher gross weight version powered by one Arriel 1D1 engine over the B1 version with aerodynamic strake fitted to tail boom along the starboard side and angled engine exhaust duct for better yaw control.

High-performance version, is powered by a Arriel 2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control Unit with a mechanical backup system. This helicopter is the first ever to land on Mount Everest. Recently introduced AS350 B3/2B1 variant introduces enhanced engine with dual channel (FADEC) Full Authority Digital Engine Control, dual hydraulics and a 2,370 kg (5,225 lb) Maximum Take Off Weight.

Powered by a Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and tail rotor servo.

AS350 BB

AS350 B2 variant selected to meet rotary-wing training needs of UK MoD, through its Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1996. Powered by a derated Arriel 1D1 engine to improve the helicopters' life cycle.

Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1

:Designation of AS350BB in operation with British RAF

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

 as a training helicopter

Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2

:Designation of AS350BB in operation with British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter

AS350 C

Initial variant of Lycoming LTS-101-600A2

Honeywell LTS101

|-See also:-External links:*...

 powered version developed for the North American market as the AStar. Quickly superseded by AS350D.

AS350 D

Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar. At one stage marketed as AStar 'Mark III.'

AS350 L1

Military derivative of AS350 B1, powered by a 510kW (684shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine. Superseded by AS350 L2.

AS350 L2

Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546kW (732shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. Designation superseded by AS550 C2.

HB350 B Esquilo

Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Air Force

Brazilian Air Force

The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...

. Brazilian designations CH-50 and TH-50. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.

HB350 B1 Esquilo

Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Navy

Brazilian Navy

The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...

. Brazilian designation UH-12. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.

HB350 L1

Armed military version for the Brazilian Army

Brazilian Army

The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...

. Brazilian designation HA-1. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.

Aftermarket conversions

Soloy Super D

AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Soloy Super D2

AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.

Heli-Lynx 350FX1

AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Heli-Lynx 350FX2

AS350 BA or AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.

Otech AS350BA+

AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Civilian operators

The AS350 has been popular with many air charter companies and other small operators. Major fleet operators have included:

• Senok Aviation  - operates 2 AS350 for domestic operations.

• Australian Antarctic Division
  Australian Antarctic Division
  The Australian Antarctic Division is an agency of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities . The division undertakes science programs and research projects to contribute to an understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean...
  
    - uses the Eurocopter AS350 for intra-continental air operations in Antarctica.
• Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
  Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
  The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service was founded in 1973 by Surf Life Saving Australia. Since this time, the Service has carried out more than 50,000 flights ranging from patient transfers to search and rescue missions...
  
   - 2 Eurocopter AS350.
• Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia
  Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia
  The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia is a statutory government authority created in January 1999 to administer the following legislation within the state of Western Australia:...
  
   - use 4 AS350 B3 for fire fighting.

• Canadian Helicopters
  Canadian Helicopters
  Canadian Helicopters , formerly CHC Helicopter Canadian operations, operates 132 aircraft from 43 bases across Canada which provides a broad range of helicopter services to include: emergency medical services, infrastructure maintenance, utilities, oil and gas, forestry, mining and construction,...
  
  
• Blackcomb Aviation operates five AS350s which are used for charter flights
  Air charter
  Air charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft as opposed to individual aircraft seats...
  
   as well as mountain rescue
  Mountain rescue
  Mountain rescue refers to search and rescue activities that occur in a mountainous environment, although the term is sometimes also used to apply to search and rescue in other wilderness environments. The difficult and remote nature of the terrain in which mountain rescue often occurs has resulted...
  
  .
• Highland Helicopters operates several AS350's throughout western Canada, primarily in BC and AB.
• Geotech Ltd. operates six AS350 B3s

• Air Greenland
  Air Greenland
  Air Greenland A/S is the flag carrier airline of Greenland, jointly owned by the government of Greenland, the SAS Group, and the government of Denmark...
  
   uses two B2's and 11 B3's

• Fireman Helicopters Group, Autonomous Province of Trento utilizes two AS350 B3 for mountain rescue, fire service, transport service and various civil defence activities.

• Six AS350s are in service with Heli Air Monaco
  Heli Air Monaco
  -History:Heli Air Monaco was founded in 1976 with the support of Prince Rainier III, and began operations from the Monaco Heliport, located in the Fontvieille quarter of Monaco, from where it now operates regular shuttle services between Monaco Heliport and Nice Airport , and offers on request...
  
  .

• Northland Emergency Services Trust
  Northland Emergency Services Trust
  The Northland Emergency Services Trust, often abbreviated NEST, based in Whangarei, New Zealand. It was formed in 1988 with a leased helicopter, and now operates with two purchased helicopters....
  
  

• Helibravo operates AS350 B2 and B3.
• EMA operates 3 AS350B3
• Heliportugal operates both AS350 B2 and B3

• Flight for Life Colorado Emergency medical transport based near Denver, Colorado operates five leased AS350 B3s.
• Heli USA Airways, Inc. A Las Vegas based helicopter tour operator using a fleet of 11 AS350's
• Temsco HelicoptersTEMSCO (an acronym from the words: Tours (Timber), Exploration, Mining, Survery, Cargo Operations)serving several communities in Alaska providing tours, medical transport, and commercial services on a variety of AS350's.

Law Enforcement operators

The AS350 has been popular with many law enforcement operators. Major fleet operators have included:

• Angolan National Police Force operates 15 AS350B2 and B3s.

• Australian Customs and Border Protection Service operates a fleet of AS350 B3 helicopters.

• Flugpolizei (Ministry of Interior)
  Flugpolizei
  The Flugpolizei is a unit of the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria.-Role:The Flugpolizei coordinates air operations in the support of the Polizei in criminal matters, in connection with major events and to assist with traffic control...
  
   operates five AS350 B1

• The State Border Committee of Belarus operates 3 AS350 NP helicopters

• Various Military Police (Brazil) operates the HB350 Esquilo, including:
  • Military Police of São Paulo State
  • Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State
    Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State
    The Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State like other military polices in Brazil is a reserve and ancillary force of the Brazilian Army, and part of the System of Public Security and Brazilian Social Protection...
    
    
  • Minas Gerais Military Police

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
  
   operates a fleet of 8 AS350 B3 helicopters.

• National Gendarmerie

• Icelandic Coast Guard
  Icelandic Coast Guard
  The Icelandic Coast Guard is the service responsible for Iceland's coastal defense and maritime and aeronautical search and rescue. Origins of the Icelandic Coast Guard can be traced to 1859, when the corvette Ørnen started patrolling Icelandic waters...
  
   - Former operator.

• Garda Síochána na hÉireann The Police force of the Republic of Ireland operates two AS350 in support roles.

• Philippine National Police
  Philippine National Police
  The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
  
  

• South African Police Service Air Wing operates 11 AS350B3s.

• California Highway Patrol
  California Highway Patrol
  The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
  
   operates 11 AS350 B3 helicopters and a single AS350 B2.
• Drug Enforcement Administration
  Drug Enforcement Administration
  The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
  
   operates two AS350 B2 helicopters.
• Los Angeles Police Department
  Los Angeles Police Department
  The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
  
   operates 14 AS350 B2 helicopters.
• Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
  Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is a local county law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. It is the fourth largest local policing agency in the United States, with the New York City Police Department being the first. The second largest is the Chicago Police...
  
   operates 12 AS350 B2 helicopters.
• Riverside County Sheriff's Department operate 4 AS350 B3 helicopters.
• San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
  San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
  The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department serves San Bernardino County, California, which is geographically the largest county in the lower 48 states. SBSD provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of the county and contract law enforcement services to 14 of the county's...
  
   operates 6 AS350 B3 helicopters
• San Diego Police Department
  San Diego Police Department
  The San Diego Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of San Diego, California. Established on May 9, 1889, the first chief of police was Joseph Coyne. The current police chief is William Lansdowne.-History:...
  
   operates 4 AS350 B3 helicopters.
• Texas Department of Public Safety
  Texas Department of Public Safety
  The Texas Department of Public Safety is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement and vehicle regulation. The Public Safety Commission oversees the DPS. Its five members are appointed by the Governor of Texas and confirmed by the...
  
   operates three AS350 B and nine AS350 B2 helicopters.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is the...
  
   operates 48 AS350 helicopters, and in July 2008 signed a multi-year contract for up to 50 additional AS350 B3s to meet its Light Enforcement Helicopter requirement.
• Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department operates 1 AS350 B3 helicopter

Military operators

• Argentine National Gendarmerie
  Argentine National Gendarmerie
  The Argentine National Gendarmerie is the gendarmerie and corps of border guards of Argentina.The Argentine National Gendarmerie has a strength of 12,000....
  
  

• Albanian Air Force
  Albanian Air Force
  The Albanian Air Force is the national Air Force of the Albanian military. Currently it operates under the Albanian Joint Forces Command and it is regrouped in the Albanian Air Brigade...
  
  

• Australian Defence Force
  Australian Defence Force
  The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
  
  
  • Australian Defence Force Helicopter School
• Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
  Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
  The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
  
  
  • No. 723 Squadron RAN
    723 Squadron RAN
    723 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron.-History:723 Squadron was first commissioned into the RAN on 7 April 1952 and was equipped with one Dakota, one Wirraway, one Sea Otter and two Sea Fury aircraft...
    
    
• Royal Australian Air Force
  Royal Australian Air Force
  The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
  
   is former operator of the 18 Squirrels. RAAF A22-001 to -012 were in service with RAAF from 1984 to 1990.
  • No. 5 Squadron RAAF
    No. 5 Squadron RAAF
    No. 5 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force training, army co-operation and helicopter squadron. The Squadron was first formed in 1917 and was disbanded in December 1989.-Squadron history:...
    
    
• Australian Army Aviation
  Australian Army Aviation
  Australian Army Aviation is a corps of the Australian Army, and was formed on 1 July 1968 with a strength of 106 officer pilots, although it has a history dating back to 1911, when the Minister of Defence at the time, Senator George Pearce, decided there should be a flying school in the Defence...
  
   is former operator.

• Botswana Defence Force Air Wing
  Botswana Defence Force Air Wing
  The Botswana Defence Force Air Wing is the air arm of the Botswana Defence Force of the country of Botswana in southern Africa.-Overview:The Air Wing was formed in 1977 and is organisationally part of the Botswana Defence Force....
  
   AS350

• Brazilian Air Force
  Brazilian Air Force
  The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
  
  
• Brazilian Army
  Brazilian Army
  The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
  
  
• Brazilian Navy
  Brazilian Navy
  The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
  
  

• Bolivian Air Force
  Bolivian Air Force
  The Bolivian Air Force is part of the Military of Bolivia.-History:By 1938 the Bolivian air force consisted of about 60 aircraft , and about 300 staff; the officers were...
  
  

• Central African Republic
  Central African Republic
  The Central African Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about ,...
  
   – The sole helicopter of the Central African Republic's Air Force
  Military of the Central African Republic
  The Forces armées centrafricaines are the armed forces of the Central African Republic, established after independence in 1960. Today they are a rather weak institution, dependent on international support to hold back the enemies in the current civil war...
  
  

• Chilean Army
  Chilean Army
  The Chilean Army is the land arm of the Military of Chile. This 45,000-person army is organized into seven divisions, a special operations brigade and an air brigade....
  
   AS350B3

• Ecuadorian Air Force
  Ecuadorian Air Force
  The Ecuadorian Air Force is the Air arm of the Military of Ecuador and responsible for the protection of the Ecuadorian airspace.-Mission:To develop the military air wing, in order to execute institutional objectives which guarantee sovereignty and contribute towards the nation's security and...
  
   5 AS350

• Gabonese Air Force

• Military of Malawi
  Military of Malawi
  The Armed forces of Malawi are the state military organisation responsible for defending Malawi. They originated from British colonial units formed before independence in 1964.-Army structure:...
  
  

• Paraguayan Air Force
  Military of Paraguay
  The armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy and air force.The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief....
  
   4 Helibras HB-350/UH-50 Esquilo
• Paraguayan Naval Aviation
  Military of Paraguay
  The armed forces of Paraguay consist of the Paraguayan army, navy and air force.The constitution of Paraguay establishes the president of Paraguay as the commander-in-chief....
  
   2 Helibras HB-350/UH-50 Esquilo

• Ministry of Defence's
  Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
  The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
  
   Defence Helicopter Flying School
  Defence Helicopter Flying School
  The Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, a Royal Air Force station near Shrewsbury, England, trains aircrew from all three of the Armed Forces.-Squadrons:The DHFS has three flying squadrons:...
  
   at RAF Shawbury
  RAF Shawbury
  RAF Shawbury is a Royal Air Force station by the village of Shawbury near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.The station at Shawbury was first used for military flying training in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps, but it was returned to agricultural use in 1920. In 1938 it was reactivated as a training...
  
   – 38 AS350BB helicopters in service with FB Heliservices for the training of all British Armed Forces
  British Armed Forces
  The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
  
   helicopter pilots.
• British Army
  British Army
  The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
  
   – The School of Army Aviation
  Army Air Corps Middle Wallop
  Army Air Corps Middle Wallop is a British Army base near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop. The base hosts 2 Regiment Army Air Corps and the School of Army Aviation. The role of 2 Regiment is training and so AAC Middle Wallop is the base where most Army Air Corps pilots begin their careers...
  
   in Middle Wallop
  Middle Wallop
  Middle Wallop is the local name given to an area between the two Parishes of Over Wallop and Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England. As it does not have its own parish technically it does not exist, however road signs and maps make reference to the location and have done so since the 18th century,...
  
  , Hampshire
  Hampshire
  Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
  
  , employs 10 AS350BB through FB Heliservices in the Operational Training Phase of the Army Pilot's Course.

Notable accidents and achievements

• On 14 May 2005, a Ecureuil AS350B3 piloted by Didier Delsalle landed at 8,848 meters on the top of the Mount Everest
  Mount Everest
  Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
  
  . As required by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the aircraft remained on the summit for 2 minutes before returning to Lukla
  Lukla
  Lukla is a town in the Khumbu area of the Solukhumbu District in the Sagarmatha Zone of north-eastern Nepal. Situated at , it is a popular place for visitors to the Himalayas near Mount Everest to arrive...
  
  . This is the highest altitude landing and take off ever.
• On 13 August 2006, an AS350 crashed in the Payette National Forest
  Payette National Forest
  The Payette National Forest, is a U.S. National Forest located in central western Idaho, in parts of Valley, Idaho, Adams, and Washington counties. The land area consists of approximately 2.3 million acres of federally managed lands...
  
   while transporting firefighting personnel from Williams Peak lookout to Krassel helitack base. The pilot, two United States Forest Service
  United States Forest Service
  The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
  
   firefighters and a Williams Peak lookout were killed.
• On 27 July 2007, two AS350s collided in mid-air
  2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision
  The 2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision occurred on July 27, 2007 at exactly 12:46:20 P.M. MST when two AS-350 AStar helicopters from KNXV-TV and KTVK news stations collided in mid-air above Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona while covering a police pursuit...
  
   while reporting a police pursuit. The two helicopters were part of KNXV-TV
  KNXV-TV
  KNXV-TV, is an ABC-affiliated television station in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting in digital on UHF channel 15. Owned by The E. W. Scripps Company, its transmitter is located on South Mountain in Phoenix....
  
   and KTVK
  KTVK
  KTVK is a full-service, independent television station in Phoenix, Arizona. It broadcasts in digital on UHF channel 24 from a transmitter located on South Mountain in Phoenix, and can be seen across northern Arizona on a network of nearly two dozen translator stations...
  
   television stations in Phoenix, Arizona
  Phoenix, Arizona
  Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
  
  . Four crew members were killed by this accident.
• On 15 September 2007, former World Rally Championship
  World Rally Championship
  The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
  
   driver Colin McRae
  Colin McRae
  Colin Steele McRae, MBE was a Scottish rally driver born in Lanark.The son of five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae and brother of rally driver Alister McRae, Colin McRae was the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Champion and, in 1995, became the first British person and the youngest to win the...
  
   and three passengers were killed when his AS350 B2 Squirrel, which he was piloting, crashed near Lanark
  Lanark
  Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
  
  , Scotland
  Scotland
  Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
  
  .
• On 16 November 2007, Inclement weather caused a BHP Billiton
  BHP Billiton
  BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
  
   AS350-B2 helicopter, to crash in Angola
  Angola
  Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
  
  , killing the helicopter's five passengers.
• On 8 August 2009, a Piper PA-32R collided
  2009 Hudson River mid-air collision
  The 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision was a flight accident that occurred on August 8, 2009, at 11:56 a.m. , in which nine people died when a tour helicopter and a small private airplane collided over the Hudson River near Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey.The aircraft were in...
  
   with an AS350 over the Hudson River
  Hudson River
  The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
  
  , with both aircraft crashing into the Hudson River. There were no survivors from the crash.
• On 25 September 2009, a medical helicopter, operated by Omniflight Helicopters, crashed in South Carolina
  South Carolina
  South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
  
   killing the pilot, nurse, and paramedic onboard.
• On 17 October 2009. The Rio de Janeiro Military Police AS350B2 helicopter, Phoenix 03, registration PR-EPM, flying over the area between the Macacos hill and the hill of the São João, Vila Isabel to support the police operation and was hit by rifle fire from traffickers. Pilot was shot in leg, attempted a forced landing, crashed and burned. Mixed reports, seemed three fatal, three injured. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueSGQtQYGVchttp://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/12-die-as-drug-gangs-down-chopper-in-rio-20091018-h2de.html
• On 14 November 2009, a Mountain Life Flight Air Ambulance crashed outside of Reno
  Reno
  Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...
  
  , Nevada
  Nevada
  Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
  
  , on its way back to base in Susanville. The crash happened after dropping off a patient to Renown Medical Center. All three crew members died in the crash.
• On 5 February 2010, a AS350 medevac helicopter, operated by Southwest Medevac, crashed during a training mission on MacGregor military range, killing the pilot and two paramedics onboard.
• On 10 February 2010 , a helicopter of Brazilian RECORD TV , crashed over a Jockey Club in São Paulo
  São Paulo
  São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
  
  .There were two people , a pilot died and a camera-man survived.
• On 25 March 2010, a Hospital Wing Air Ambulance crashed in Jackson
  Jackson, Tennessee
  Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
  
  , Tennessee
  Tennessee
  Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
  
   after flying a patient from Parsons, Tennessee
  Parsons, Tennessee
  Parsons is a city in Decatur County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,373 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Parsons is located at ....
  
   to Jack-Madison County General Hospital. All three crew members died in the crash.
• On 22 July 2010, a AS350 medevac helicopter, operated by EagleMed Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport, departed Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City
  Oklahoma city
  Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
  
  , Oklahoma
  Oklahoma
  Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
  
  , crashed outside Kingfisher, Oklahoma
  Kingfisher, Oklahoma
  Kingfisher is a city in and the county seat of Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,380 at the 2000 census. It is the former home and namesake of Kingfisher College.-History:...
  
   on its way to Okeene
  Okeene, Oklahoma
  Okeene is a town in Blaine County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Okeene is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
  
   to pick up a patient. The pilot and one of the two nurses died in the crash.
• On 28 July 2010, an Air Methods
  Air Methods
  Air Methods, Corp. is the largest publicly owned emergency medical services helicopter operator in the United States, with a fleet of over 300 medical transport helicopters that average 85,000 transports and 100,000 flight hours per year as of December 2006....
  
   LifeNet AS350 crashed into a residential area in central Tucson, Arizona
  Tucson, Arizona
  Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
  
  . All three crew members were killed. No injuries were reported on the ground. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
• On 28 October 2010, a French AS350 crashed in Antarctica, roughly 100km from the French Scientific Research base Dumont d'Urville
  Dumont d'Urville Station
  The Dumont d'Urville Station is a French scientific station located in Antarctica on Île des Pétrels, archipelago of Pointe Géologie in Adélie Land. It is named after explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville...
  
  . All 4 occupants aboard the helicopter were killed. Bad weather has been given as the reason for the cause of the accident.
• On 24 January 2011, a Brazilian TV station Rede Globo AS350 B2 PT-HZS. Emergency landing after tail targeted by drug traffickers. http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2011/01/helicoptero-da-globo-e-atingido-por-tiros-no-morro-da-mineira-no-rio.html
• On 30 April 2011, CM of Arunachal Pradesh was killed in a Pawan Hans AS350 B-3 helicopter crash.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Arunachal-CM-Dorjee-Khandu-killed-in-chopper-crash/articleshow/8158209.cms
• On 17 June 2011, a private AS350 Esquilo PR-OMO crashed in a Porto Seguro
  Porto Seguro
  Porto Seguro is a municipality in the Brazilian state of Bahia. It is the site where the Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral first set foot on Brazilian soil on April 22, 1500...
  
   beach
  Beach
  A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
  
  . Four people died and three are missing. http://g1.globo.com/bahia/noticia/2011/06/quatro-pessoas-morrem-na-queda-de-helicoptero-em-porto-seguro-diz-pm.html
• On 4 July 2011, a Norwegian AS350 B3 crashed on Hardangervidda
  Hardangervidda
  The Hardangervidda is a mountain plateau in the Hardanger region of western Norway. It is the largest such plateau in Europe, with a cold year-round alpine climate and is the site of one of Norway's largest glaciers. Much of the plateau is protected as part of Hardangervidda National Park; it is a...
  
  . The pilot and all four passengers were killed.
• On 26 August 2011, an American LifeNet (Operated by Air Methods) AS350 crashed in Missouri. The pilot, two crew members, and the patient-in-transport were all killed.
• On 9 September 2011 an Australian AS350 operated by the Cairns based Heli charters crashed at Double Mountain near Shoalwater Bay in central Queensland killing 2 people on board with one surviving.
• On 16 September 2011 an AS350 went missing in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It was found several days later on 20 September in an area of the Coquihalla
  Coquihalla
  Coquihalla may refer to:*British Columbia Highway 5, also known as Coquihalla highway*Coquihalla River*Coquihalla Pass*Okanagan—Coquihalla, a federal electoral district in British Columbia*Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park*Coquihalla River Provincial Park...
  
   Mountain. The pilot and only occupant of the helicopter was killed.
• On 23 November 2011, an AS350 taking part in lifting operations in Auckland
  Auckland
  The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
  
  's Viaduct Basin
  Viaduct Basin
  Viaduct Basin is a former commercial harbour on the Auckland waterfront, now turned into a development of mostly upscale apartments, office space and restaurants. It is located on the site of a formerly run-down area of the Freemans Bay / Auckland CBD waterfront in Auckland City, New Zealand...
  
   crashed after it's rotor blades became caught at a low level on a hanging wire. The helicopter was putting up the Telecom New Zealand
  Telecom New Zealand
  Telecom New Zealand is a New Zealand-wide communications service provider , providing fixed line telephone services, a mobile network, an internet service provider , a major ICT provider to NZ businesses , and a wholesale network infrastructure provider to other NZ CSPs...
  
   Christmas tree, a seven-story Christmas attraction. The pilot walked away from the crash with only minor injuries.

Specifications (AS350 B3)

See also

External links

• Eurocopter's AS350 B2 page
• Eurocopter's AS350 B3 page