This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this post will be corrected when the preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N107VU
- History of Flight:
On November 8, 2025, at about 1341 local time, an Eurocopter EC 130T2 (also known as the Airbus Helicopters H130), N107VU, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lebanon, Tennessee. One occupant sustained fatal injuries, and two occupants sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was registered to Air Methods LLC out of Greenwood Village, Colorado, and being operated by Vanderbilt LifeFlight as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air medical flight.
According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data (figure 1), at about 1333, the helicopter departed XNX and entered a climbing right turn towards the south. At 1338, the helicopter was 5.30 miles south of XNX when it entered a 180 turn back north while continuing to climb. At 1339:40, the helicopter was about 3 miles south of the airport when it reached a maximum altitude of 4,200 ft. This was followed by a very steep descent. At about 1340:30, the helicopter was ~1.80 miles south of the airport and travelling ~140 knots groundspeed when it entered a descending right hand turn with an average rate of -4000 feet per minute (fpm). At 1341:18, the last ADS-B return was recorded as the helicopter was at the conclusion of the turn. The helicopter was at 650 ft and had decelerated to about 84 knots GS and -2300 fpm. The accident site was located 700 ft from this data point.
- Pilot Information:
unknown at this point.
- Aircraft Information:
According to the Airbus website:
The H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transport, sightseeing and VIP duties, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. As a multi-role rotorcraft, the H130 has a spacious cabin for a pilot and up to seven passengers. Depending on the configuration, it can carry up to two pilots, one stretcher and three to four medical crewmembers.
Among the H130’s enhancements are an active vibration control system and advanced environmental control; improved air conditioning; a cabin interior structure redesign with a fully flat floor; energy-absorbing seats and integration of a crash-resistant fuel system. A cockpit update for the rotorcraft brings an enhanced human-machine interface through the integration of Garmin’s G500H TXi glass cockpit with a synthetic vision system (SVS) and the helicopter terrain avoidance and warning system (HTAWS). A wireless connection automatically transfers flight data at the end of each mission.
The helicopter was powered by a Safran Arriel 2D turbine engine.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The helicopter struck the top of a tree and impacted terrain about 2 miles south of XNX. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and was not consumed by a post crash fire. The helicopter remained mostly intact and sustained substantial impact damage. The tailrotor remained partially attached to the airframe. (figure 3)
- Airport Information:
The airport field elevation was 583.3 ft.
- Weather:
The reported weather at 1335 at XNK: variable winds at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, no clouds under 12,000 ft (CLR), temperature 21°C, dewpoint 14°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.85 inches of mercury.
METAR KXNX 081915Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 22/15 A2985 RMK A01
METAR KXNX 081935Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 21/14 A2985 RMK A01 <<
METAR KXNX 081955Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM CLR 21/14 A2984 RMK A01
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 1109 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1102 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025 - High probability for a widespread hard freeze Sunday and Monday nights. Low to medium chance (30-50%) for light snow accumulation across the Plateau early Monday morning. - Temperatures closer to near-normal values returning by Wednesday. && .SHORT TERM... (Rest of today through Monday Night) Issued at 1006 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025 A longwave trough taking shape over the northern Plains and Great Lakes area is evident on satellite imagery this morning with a potent cold front currently moving through the Illinois/Missouri area. For now, conditions are calm across Middle TN. With plenty of sunshine this afternoon, look for temperatures to warm into the upper-60s to low-70s. But the aforementioned cold front will make its presence known as it brings much colder air and gusty northwest winds. Temperatures will fall overnight and through the day on Sunday which means that the day`s high temperatures in the 50s will likely be recorded around midnight. Temperatures during much of the day on Sunday will only be in the 40s with brisk northwest winds keeping wind chills in the upper-30s. Temperatures will continue to free-fall Sunday night with readings below freezing areawide by midnight and then bottoming out into the 20s early Monday morning. Coldest period of this event will be Monday and Monday night. High temperature readings Monday will be in the 30s to near 40 while overnight lows will plummet into the teens to low-20s areawide. Meanwhile, this system will also bring a low to medium chance (~30-50%) of light rain showers mainly north of I-40 tonight and into Sunday. As temperatures fall, this precipitation will change to snow by Sunday evening and into at least early Monday morning. This snow may continue through the day on Monday thanks to wraparound moisture from a departing low. Any accumulations are still expected to be light along the Cumberland Plateau, generally ranging from just a dusting to around a half inch. Models give around a 40% chance that any accumulations get up to a half inch, and this would mainly be confined to the typically favored areas of the Upper Cumberland Plateau like Fentress and Pickett counties. Regardless, none to little impacts are expected from this short burst of snow. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday through next Saturday) Issued at 1006 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025 Temperatures will rebound starting Tuesday with highs making it back into the 50s and 60s for mid-week and overnight lows above the freezing mark. Dry northwest flow aloft will persist through much of next week, helping to keep dry and calm conditions in the forecast through the end of the week. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1102 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025 Stubborn fog and low stratus continues to erode this morning with most TAF sites up to VFR at this hour. Improvement will continue with VFR conditions expected areawide this afternoon. Light winds are generally out of the south through the remainder of the day, but will become northwesterly with the arrival of a cold front between 09Z and 12Z. Winds will strengthen with gusts of 20 to 25 knots through the morning hours. Low clouds will redevelop as well, bringing areawide MVFR cigs Sunday morning.
- Additional Information:
none.
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