The Eurocopter EC130 B4 Ecureuil / AStar is a 7-8 seat single engine helicopter, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turbine engine.
The EC130 B4 (formerly known as the AS350B4) is essentially a development of the AS350B3 at a higher gross weight, with the following
changes: an enlarged cabin and cargo compartment incorporating triple front seats as standard and using EC120 type windows;
installation of the “moustache” type skid landing gear off the EC120; and utilising an EC135-type fenestron anti-torque tail rotor
system. The Eurocopter EC130 B4 cruises at nearly 230 km per hour. The external noise emission, 8.5dB under the ICAO requirement, is low.
The cabin width is 2.03m compared to 1.87m for the AS350 B2 Ecureuil. Thanks to
its large access, its spacious cabin and its quiet interior the EC130 B4 is not only suitable for the passenger transport but also as EMS
helicopter. Fitted with the appropriate mission equipment, the EC130 B4 can also perform Police and S.A.R. missions. Due to the low external
noise emission, the EC130 B4 is in the USA nicknamed 'Eco Star'.
Eurocopter France used the test-registration F-WQDP for the 2002-built
Eurocopter EC130 B4 c/n 3604 prior to delivery to Heli-Holland. On 20
February 2003, the Ecureuil was registered PH-ECJ with Heli Holland
Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum, and arrived the same day at the Heli-Holland heliport near the orbital road of Emmen in the
Netherlands. On 27 June 2010, Eurocopter EC130 B4 PH-ECJ was substantial
damaged in a fatal crash near the Slufter and the Noordzeeboulevard
at the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam. Unfortunately four occupants were killed and the fifth severely wounded.
On 7 December 2010, registration PH-ECJ was cancelled as destroyed.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
