Eurocopter AS 350 B3 accident near San Elizario, TX
On May 22, 2007, an Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near San Elizario, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 22, 2007
- Place
- San Elizario, TX
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 31.579°N, 106.284°W
- NTSB ID
- 20070530X00664
Official records · DFW07GA119
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
History of Flight On May 22, 2007 at 0838 mountain daylight time, a single-engine Eurocopter, AS350-B3 turbo-shaft helicopter, N851BP, registered to and operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air Operations, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering at approximately 150- above ground level and an airspeed between 20 to 30 knots on a routine border patrol mission near San Elizario, Texas, approximately 15 miles southeast of the El Paso International Airport. The accident occurred 1.8 hours in to the flight. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries and his non-rated observer was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted as a Public Use Flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed El Paso International Airport (KELP), near El Paso, Texas, at approximately 0655. Local authorities reported that the helicopter impacted a parked pickup truck in a nose-low attitude while in a right turn, coming to rest on its right side in a residential area. There were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground. Emergency medical services personnel removed the pilot and observer from the cockpit and transported them to a local hospital. Following the documentation of the wreckage, the helicopter was recovered to a secured facility at Biggs Army Airfield, near El Paso, Texas, for a detailed examination. The engine, transmission, and flight control hydraulic servos were removed and shipped to labora
Probable cause
The pilot's encounter with a vortex ring state and his inability to maintain control of the helicopter.
More accidents in TX
- Kubicek BB85, Jul 30, 2016
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Browse: Texas · Eurocopter aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
