Eurocopter EC135 crash near Cave Creek, AZ, United States

A Eurocopter EC135 T1 (N127TS) owned by Services Group of America crashed near Cave Creek, Arizona, killing all 5 on board including the owner, his 5-year-old daughter, the pilot, and two other passengers. The NTSB determined the probable cause was the sudden inadvertent lowering of the collective, most likely caused by the child moving from her father's lap and stepping on the control. The owner, who was not a rated helicopter pilot, routinely sat in the left cockpit seat and dominated cockpit duties. The NTSB cited the absence of proper cockpit discipline as a contributing factor.