American Eurocopter Llc AS350B3 accident near Potrero, CA
On December 16, 2024, an American Eurocopter Llc AS350B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Potrero, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 16, 2024
- Place
- Potrero, CA
- Aircraft
- American Eurocopter Llc AS350B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.652°N, 116.624°W
- NTSB ID
- 20241216199430
Official records · WPR25FA062
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 16, 2024, about 1030 Pacific standard time, an American Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopter, N617GC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Potrero, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a public use aircraft. According to CBP, during the 2 weeks before the accident, the pilot had taken sick leave on 4 of the previous 6 scheduled workdays. On the Friday before the accident, December 13, another pilot noted that he isolated himself at work because he was still ill and coughing frequently. Three days later, the pilot asked his supervisor for permission to fly alone, which was consistent with his normal routine. His supervisor and another pilot asked whether he felt well enough to fly because his voice was raspy, but the pilot responded that he was “fine.” The pilot then contacted the command duty officer (CDO), who was stationed at another base, to obtain the clearance required by CBP procedures. The CDO asked about the pilot’s hoarse voice, and the pilot responded that he had recently recovered from a cold and had no other symptoms. The CDO then cleared the pilot for the patrol flight. The helicopter was scheduled for a routine aerial support mission. ADS-B data from the FAA showed that the helicopter (Troy 142) departed Brown Field Municipal Airport, San Diego, California, about 0856 on a westerly heading and subsequently began a climbing right turn to the north. At 0906:54, at an altitude of about 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the helicopter turned east and continued to climb as it gra
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control during cruise flight due to incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
