# Accident 20241216020989A: American Eurocopter LLC AS350B3, Potrero, CA, December 16, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 16, 2024, 10:30 local time
- Place: Potrero, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.6522° N, 116.6242° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6522&lon=-116.6242&mi=10
- Aircraft: N617GC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N617GC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: American Eurocopter AS350B3 (registry code 1145002, https://openairdocs.org/model/american-eurocopter-as350b3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1 (registry code 60056, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN EUROCOPTER LLC AS350B3
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 2B1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA062) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241216020989A

## Narrative

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

BORDER PATROL HELICOPTER CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD IN POTRERO CALIFORNIA DURING A ROUTINE PATROL. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE IN A FIELD OF DRY BRUSH ON A MAGNETIC HEADING OF 309° AT A FIELD ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2,450 FT MEAN SEA LEVEL. THREE DISTINCT GROUND SCARS WERE OBSERVED NEAR THE TAILBOOM. A 4 FOOT LONG BY 2-FOOT-WIDE GROUND SIGNATURE WAS LOCATED NEXT TOTHE OUTBOARD END OF ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. ANOTHER MAIN ROTORBLADE WAS RESTING WITHIN A SECOND GROUND SCAR LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT FORWARD OF THE FIRST GROUND SCAR. A THIRD GROUND SCAR WAS LOCATED ABOUT 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. ALL THREE MAIN ROTOR BLADES REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE ROTOR HUB AND WERE FRACTURED AT VARIOUS POINTS WITH BROOM STRAWING AND FRAGMENTATION. FLIGHT DATA WAS SENT TO EUROPE FOR ANALYSIS. WAITING FOR CORONER REPORT, AIRCRAFT AVIONICS ANALYSIS FOR FINAL REPORT. WILL AMMEND REPORT WHEN MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

## 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 WPR25FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA062), Dec 16, 2024: American Eurocopter AS350B3 (N617GC), Potrero, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control during cruise flight due to incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined.

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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