# Accident 20031124031279A: Snias AS350B3, Yuma, AZ, November 24, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 24, 2003, 19:00 local time
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: UB6M
- Location: 32.6550° N, 114.6067° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6550&lon=-114.6067&mi=10
- Aircraft: N846BP, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N846BP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (registry code 8680954, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIUS-2B series (registry code 60013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2b-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SNIAS AS350B3
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 6,250 total, 48 in this make and model, 222 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX04TA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA052) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031124031279A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PUBLIC USE AIRCRAFT, BELONGING TO US BORDER PATROL. AS-350B3, N846BP PILOTED BY JOSEPH WILLIAM DUNN A COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE #526254488. AIRCRAFT WAS TAKING OFF ON ITS FIRST FLIGHT OF THE DAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET IN THE AIR, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND BENDING THE SKIDS AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAIL BOOM. THE MECHANICAL PRELIMINARY REPORT SHOWED THE SHAFT FROM THE ENGINE TO THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO THE ROTOR SYSTEM.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX04TA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA052), Nov 25, 2003: Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 (N846BP), Yuma, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The malfunction of the rotor drive system due to improper maintenance, which resulted in the uncoupling of the drive shaft during takeoff-initial climb. A factor associated with the accident is the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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