Helicopter Crash Archives - Aviation Today

Sydney, Australia: A fatal helicopter crash occurred at Bankstown Airport in Sydney's south-west on Friday, when the helicopter Crashed into a car resulting in the death of a man and leaving a teenager in critical condition. At approximately 1:30 PM, emergency services responded to reports of a helicopter crash on Birch Street, near Bankstown Airport. Upon arrival, they found a man in his 50s deceased at the scene. A 19-year-old male, believed to be a student, sustained serious injuries. He was transported to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and observing the helicopter struggling in the air before it crashed through multiple trees and landed on a parked car. One witness, who was in a nearby classroom, received a call from a friend who had heard the crash and rushed to the scene. They managed to pull the teenager from the wreckage, who was described as shaken but alive. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is conducting a formal investigation into the cause of the crash. The incident occurred during a training flight, with the deceased man believed to be the instructor. The ATSB is expected to release a preliminary report within weeks, with a final investigation report to follow in the coming months.

Man Dead & 19-Year Old Critically Injured After Fatal Helicopter Crash at Bankstown

Aviation Today News Desk / October 3, 2025

Sydney, Australia: A fatal helicopter crash occurred at Bankstown Airport in Sydney’s south-west on Friday, when the helicopter Crashed into […]

Washington, United States: The family of a passenger killed in January’s midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has filed the first federal lawsuit over the disaster, naming American Airlines, its regional affiliate PSA Airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Army as defendants. The complaint, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, comes from Rachel Crafton, whose husband, Casey Crafton, was among the 67 people killed when American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29. The crash, which occurred at low altitude just half a mile from the runway, killed all 64 people aboard the Embraer E175 regional jet and all three Army crew members on the helicopter. Crafton’s lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence and wrongful death, arguing that the tragedy was both predictable and preventable. The 115-page filing cites more than 30 documented near misses in the crowded D.C. airspace that, according to the suit, were ignored by regulators and operators. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary findings indicate insufficient vertical separation, estimated at just 75 feet, and highlight a history of over 15,000 near-misses between aircraft and helicopters in the area from 2021 to 2024, many occurring at night or above designated altitudes. The NTSB has recommended that the FAA restrict helicopter operations near DCA during active runway use and designate safer routes to prevent future collisions. The full investigation is ongoing, with a final report expected in 2026. “The defendants utterly failed in their responsibilities to protect passengers, crew, and the public,” the complaint alleges. It further faults American and PSA for inadequate pilot training, the FAA for failing to redesign or better monitor congested flight paths into Reagan National, and the Army for not preventing its aircraft from entering civilian approach corridors. The suit also highlights alleged air traffic control failures, including the absence of timely safety alerts that could have helped avoid the collision. This federal filing follows earlier Federal Tort Claims Act notices submitted by Crafton in February, seeking $250 million in damages from the FAA and the Army. Those claims are a legal prerequisite to suing the U.S. government, which typically enjoys sovereign immunity unless exceptions apply. The FAA responded with a statement of condolences, noting that it had “acted decisively” since the crash to improve safety over the capital region and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The Army declined to comment, citing the active investigation, but said it remains focused on supporting victims’ families. American Airlines and PSA signaled they would defend themselves in court, pointing to their overall safety record. The Crafton case is expected to be a bellwether lawsuit, with other families of victims likely to join or file their own claims in the coming months. The NTSB’s final accident report, expected in 2026, will likely shape the scope of liability across all parties.

Investigation

Widow of Passenger Sues American Airlines, FAA, Army Over Deadly D.C. Collision

Aviation Today News Desk / September 25, 2025

Washington, United States: The family of a passenger killed in January’s midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has

Helicopter Crash

Three Dead, One Seriously Injured in Robinson R44 II Helicopter Crash on Isle of Wight

Aviation Today News Desk / August 26, 2025

London, United Kingdom: A tragic helicopter crash occurred on the Isle of Wight on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths

Ghana, Africa: Eight people, including two senior Ghanaian government ministers, were killed when a Ghana Air Force military helicopter crashed in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, August 6. The aircraft, identified as a Harbin Z-9, was en route from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to the Obuasi area when it lost contact with air traffic control and crashed in the Adansi North District. The crash site was located in a remote forested area, and emergency services reported that the wreckage was discovered ablaze, with no survivors. Among the deceased were Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister of Defence, and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. Other victims included Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC); Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and four crew members from the Ghana Air Force. The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the helicopter was on an official government mission at the time of the incident. Eyewitnesses in nearby communities reported hearing a loud explosion, though this account has not yet been officially corroborated. Ghana’s Parliament held an emergency session where lawmakers observed a minute of silence and called for a comprehensive review of military aviation operations. The Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. The bodies of the victims were transported to the 37 Military Hospital Morgue in Accra. Burial procedures were delayed due to identification processes and post-mortem examinations. The Harbin Z-9 helicopter, a Chinese-built version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, has been in Ghana’s military fleet since the early 2010s. The Ghana government has not released a timeline for the investigation’s findings, but authorities have assured the public that all necessary steps will be taken to determine the cause of the crash.

Aircraft Crashes

Ghana Military Helicopter Crash Kills 8 Including Defence and Environment Ministers

Aviation Today News Desk / August 8, 2025

Ghana, Africa: Eight people, including two senior Ghanaian government ministers, were killed when a Ghana Air Force military helicopter crashed

Uttarakhand, India: A Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in a remote forested area near Garudchatti shortly after departing from Kedarnath, killing all seven people on board. The helicopter, which took off at around 5:30 a.m., was en route to Guptkashi when it reportedly encountered dense fog and poor visibility, leading to loss of control and a fatal impact into a hillside near Trijuginarayan. The victims included five pilgrims: Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan - Pilot Rajkumar Jaiswal, Shraddha Jaiswal and their two-year-old daughter Kashi - Uttar Pradesh Tushti Singh - Uttar Pradesh Vikram Singh Rawat - Uttarakhand Vinod Neg - Temple Committee Staff member A retired Indian Army officer, Captain Chauhan had over 2,000 hours of flying experience. The impact caused the helicopter to catch fire, leaving all seven occupants charred beyond recognition. Their remains were taken to Rudraprayag District Hospital for identification and medical procedures. Eyewitnesses in nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion minutes after the helicopter disappeared from sight. Local police and emergency responders reached the crash site swiftly, though the difficult terrain hampered access. Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation into the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the inquiry. Sonprayag Police have filed a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and under Section 10 of the Aircraft Act, holding Aryan Aviation and its executives accountable for operating flights despite reported poor weather conditions in the area. In immediate response, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered the suspension of all helicopter operations in the Char Dham circuit until further notice. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has also been directed to audit all existing helicopter operators and enforce stricter compliance with aviation safety standards. This is not the first fatal crash in the region. The Kedarnath route has seen several aviation accidents in the past decade: On May 8, 2025, another Bell helicopter (VT-OXF) crashed into a deep gorge near Gangnani, Uttarkashi, during a Yamunotri pilgrimage flight. Six people died, and one passenger survived with critical injuries. On October 18, 2022, a Kestrel Aviation Bell 407 helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Kedarnath, killing all seven occupants. The deadliest incident occurred on June 25, 2013, during the Uttarakhand floods, when an Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter carrying rescue personnel crashed north of Gaurikund, killing 20 onboard, including IAF crew and NDRF members. These incidents, along with non-fatal emergency landings in recent months, have raised concerns over helicopter operations in high-altitude pilgrimage zones. Factors like sudden weather changes, difficult topography, and pressure to maintain tight flight schedules have been repeatedly cited in previous DGCA reports. According to official records and media reports, at least 40 people have died in helicopter accidents linked to Uttarakhand’s Char Dham region since 2013, making it one of the most hazardous civilian helicopter corridors in the country. Safety recommendations such as mandating twin-engine helicopters, advanced weather monitoring systems, and restricting operations to highly experienced pilots have been discussed but not uniformly implemented. Aviation regulators are now expected to fast-track new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to pilgrimage routes. These may include real-time weather surveillance at helipads, coordination with local authorities before takeoff, and stricter penalties for violating operational norms during marginal conditions. Families of the deceased are expected to receive compensation from both the operator and the state government, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Further announcements are likely following the submission of the preliminary AAIB report.

Helicopter Crash

7 Killed in Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash, Over 40 Dead in Uttarakhand Since 2013

Aviation Today News Desk / June 16, 2025

Picture Credits: uksdrf (X) Uttarakhand, India: A Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in a remote forested area

Helicopter Crash

Six Dead in Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: Pilot and Passengers Killed in Uttarakhand

Aviation Today News Desk / May 9, 2025

Picture Credits: ANI News Uttarakhand, INDIA: On the morning of May 8, 2025, a Bell helicopter (VT-OXF) operated by a

A helicopter carrying three people crashed into shallow waters off Point Lonsdale, Victoria, on May 1st, leaving all passengers with serious injuries. The crash, which occurred around 10:00 AM, saw quick action from a local jogger who helped rescue one of the passengers before emergency teams arrived. Victoria Police, paramedics, and surf life-saving teams worked to reach the crash site and airlift the injured to nearby hospitals. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Authorities are piecing together flight data and eyewitness accounts as they work to determine what led to the incident. Aviation Today - Latest Aviation News

Australia, Helicopter Crash, Incidents, Investigation, Uncategorized

Australia Helicopter Crash Leaves Three Seriously Injured, Investigation Underway

Aviation Today News Desk / May 2, 2025

Picture Credits: ABC News Victoria, AUSTRALIA: A morning flight turned into a rescue operation off Victoria’s southern coast on Thursday,

Helicopter Crash, Incidents, Investigation, United States

Six Killed Including Three Children in Hudson Helicopter Crash, NYC’s Third in 20 Years

Aviation Today News Desk / April 11, 2025

Picture Credits: REUTERS New York, USA: A sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish family of five and their pilot crashed into

A medical transport helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday, killing all three people on board| Aviation Today

Helicopter Crash, United States

Medical Helicopter Crash Kills Pilot and 2 Crew in Mississippi, FAA Investigates

Aviation Today News Desk / March 11, 2025

Picture credits: UMMC Mississippi: A medical transport helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday, killing all

Washington: January 30 – A tragic mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter is feared to have claimed several lives on the evening of January 29, 2025, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision resulted in both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River | Aviation Today

Airplane Crashes

Washington Crash: 67 Killed in Plane-Helicopter Collision

Aviation Today News Desk / January 30, 2025

Picture credits: To respective owners Washington: January 30 – A tragic mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and

Helicopter Crash

Man Dead & 19-Year Old Critically Injured After Fatal Helicopter Crash at Bankstown

Widow of Passenger Sues American Airlines, FAA, Army Over Deadly D.C. Collision

Three Dead, One Seriously Injured in Robinson R44 II Helicopter Crash on Isle of Wight

Ghana Military Helicopter Crash Kills 8 Including Defence and Environment Ministers

7 Killed in Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash, Over 40 Dead in Uttarakhand Since 2013

Six Dead in Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: Pilot and Passengers Killed in Uttarakhand

Australia Helicopter Crash Leaves Three Seriously Injured, Investigation Underway

Six Killed Including Three Children in Hudson Helicopter Crash, NYC’s Third in 20 Years

Medical Helicopter Crash Kills Pilot and 2 Crew in Mississippi, FAA Investigates

Washington Crash: 67 Killed in Plane-Helicopter Collision

Follow Us

Quick Links

Navigate

General Support

News Desk Support

Follow Us