MD Helicopters MD 500 (369D), N5072F, fatal accident occurred on September 11, 2025, near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N5072F

Winco Inc

- History of Flight:
On September 11, 2025, at about 1402 local time, an MD Helicopters MD 500 (369D), N5072F, registered to Winco Inc out of Aurora, Oregon, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The pilot and crewmember were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight.

The operator was contracted to conduct work on powerlines as part of a construction project. According to the available Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data for the helicopter, it departed from a nearby parking garage and headed west towards the powerlines (figure 1). The helicopter was observed flying around the powerlines for about 20 seconds before it entered a -1400 feet per minute (fpm) descent. (figure 2)

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The helicopter came to rest on its side. There was no post crash fire. The main rotor blade and tail rotor were impact damaged and separated. The hook was also separated from the airframe. (figure 3)

Figure 1: Departure parking lot with dolly (left) and powerlines to the west of it

Figure 2

Figure 3

- Pilot Information:
unknown

- Aircraft Information:
None

- Airport Information:
None

- Weather:

METAR K22N 111755Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 26/06 A3014 RMK AO2

METAR K22N 111815Z AUTO 05003KT 10SM CLR 25/06 A3014 RMK AO2