January 2, 2013, Clear Lake, Iowa, Bell Helicopter 407

The helicopter impacted terrain at about 2057 Central time and was destroyed. The pilot and two medical crew members sustained fatal injuries. Night visual conditions prevailed. A witness about one mile south of the accident site observed the helicopter as it approached from the east. He noted that it appeared to slow and then turn to the north. When he looked again, the helicopter appeared to descend straight down. He subsequently went back into his house and called 911. He described the weather conditions as “misty,” with a light wind.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A helicopter crashed at night under visual conditions, resulting in fatal injuries for the pilot and two medical crew members.
A witness observed the helicopter slow, turn, and then descend straight down before impacting terrain.
Evidence suggests potential icing conditions were present, including "misty" weather and another pilot encountering light rime ice earlier and observing icy surfaces.

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The helicopter impacted terrain at about 2057 Central time and was destroyed. The pilot and two medical crew members sustained fatal injuries. Night visual conditions prevailed.

A witness about one mile south of the accident site observed the helicopter as it approached from the east. He noted that it appeared to slow and then turn to the north. When he looked again, the helicopter appeared to descend straight down. He subsequently went back into his house and called 911. He described the weather conditions as “misty,” with a light wind.