There was a helicopter crash in Pender County, North Carolina on February 24, 2025. According to reports, a Eurocopter EC 145 medical helicopter crashed with three people on board. The helicopter crashed into a wooded are with only its flight crew on board, including the pilot, a critical care nurse and a critical care paramedic. The helicopter was operated by Novant Health. The helicopter was en route from New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Albert J. Ellis Airport. All of the crew on board sustained injuries in the crash. Additional details have not yet been released.
Investigators will likely examine multiple potential factors that could have contributed to the helicopter crash in Pender County, North Carolina. One possibility is mechanical failure, which can be particularly dangerous for emergency medical helicopters that operate under demanding conditions. The Eurocopter EC 145 is a widely used model in air medical transport, but like any aircraft, it requires rigorous maintenance to ensure safe operation. A failure in critical components such as the rotor blade system, hydraulics, or engine could lead to an unexpected loss of control. Investigators will likely review maintenance logs, recent repairs, and any reports of mechanical issues before the flight.
Another factor that could be considered is weather conditions at the time of the crash. Medical helicopters often fly in challenging environments, including low visibility, strong winds, or rain, as they respond to emergency situations. Even if conditions appeared suitable for flight, sudden weather changes can pose serious risks to helicopters. Fog, turbulence, or low cloud cover could have contributed to the difficulty of maintaining safe flight. Flight data, air traffic control communications, and weather reports from the time of the crash will be key pieces of evidence in determining whether environmental conditions played a role.
Pilot workload and operational pressures*will also be examined, as medical helicopter crews often operate under intense time constraints and difficult conditions. While pilots undergo extensive training to handle these situations, fatigue and high-stress environments can still affect performance. Investigators will likely review the pilot’s flight hours, experience, and recent duty schedule to rule out any human factors that may have contributed.
Lastly, navigational or air traffic complications may be considered. The flight route from New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Albert J. Ellis Airport could have involved complex airspace or terrain challenges. Flying over wooded areas, as was the case in this crash, presents obstacles such as low-altitude helicopter hazards or limited emergency landing options. Investigators will analyze flight tracking data and air traffic control communications to determine if the aircraft encountered unexpected difficulties along its route. While the exact cause remains unknown, the investigation will focus on these and other contributing factors to determine what led to the accident.
There have been a number of recent helicopter crashes. A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed while attempting to take off in Galveston, Texas on December 31, 2024. There was a deadly midair collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk Helicopter in Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2025. A Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter crashed in the Ririe Reservoir in Idaho on February 20, 2025.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, New Mexico and New York. We have handled numerous cases involving the failure of necessary equipment on a plane or helicopter in both federal and state court across the country. Our attorneys have extensive experience in plane and helicopter crash litigation and the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in a plane or helicopter crash. The experienced helicopter crash attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a helicopter accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.