# Accident 20141027021109A: Eurocopter AS 350 B2, Sierra Vista, AZ, October 27, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 27, 2014, 16:00 local time
- Place: Sierra Vista, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.3983° N, 109.8017° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3983&lon=-109.8017&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5204X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5204X-2022-01-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (registry code 8680950, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER (registry code 60030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 9,870 total, 2,465 in this make and model, 96 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR15TA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15TA027) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141027021109A

## Narrative

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

ON OCTOBER 27, 2014, WHILE CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS FOR THE US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL NEAR SIERRA VISTA ARIZONA, N5204X EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AT LOW ALTITUDE AND LOW AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED AUTO-ROTATION.  DURING THE AUTO-ROTATION TOUCH DOWN, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE TAIL ROTOR AND TAIL BOOM.  THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY ROTATED AND ROLLED OVER UPSIDE DOWN IN A SMALL RAVINE.

## 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 WPR15TA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15TA027), Oct 27, 2014: Eurocopter AS 350 (N5204X), Bisbee, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of maintenance personnel to ensure adequate torque of a pneumatic control pipe (P2) fitting, which resulted in a loss of engine power during low altitude flight maneuvers.

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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