Tucson crash caused by maintenance problem

A 2010 helicopter crash that killed three people in Tucson, Arizona was most likely caused by a maintenance problem, according to a federal report. The American Eurocopter AS350, operated by Air Methods Corp. of Colorado, was on a repositioning flight on 28 July 2010 when it lost engine power and crashed in a residential area, killing the pilot, paramedic and flight nurse. The National Transportation Safety Board report stated that the helicopter’s engine had recently been serviced, and that following the service the bolts on the fuel inlet union had not been securely tightened. This would cause the fuel inlet union to detach from the fuel injection manifold, causing the helicopter to lose power. The report also cited inadequate inspection by maintenance personnel as a contributing factor.