# NTSB investigations: Eurocopter AS 350 B3

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 51 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA026.md): Eurocopter AS350 · Wetumpka, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 23, 2025 · N545HF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving instruction.
- [NTSB ANC25LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA097.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e · Skwentna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2025 · N589SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent entanglement of a lightweight Kevlar long line into the helicopters operating main rotor system, resulting in a severe imbalance and separation of the main rotor gearbox.
- [NTSB ANC23LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA085.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Johnson River, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 16, 2023 · N297SH · No damage
  > The ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement.
- [NTSB WPR23LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA200.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 24, 2023 · N791AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles.
- [NTSB WPR22LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA154.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Deer Valley, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2022 · N808LF · Substantial damage
  > The fuelers improper action during the refueling process.
- [NTSB WPR22LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA018.md): Airbus A350 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2021 · N544AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from ground equipment during landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA390.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Kinston, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2021 · N370NC · Substantial damage
  > The buckling of the tail boom as a result of a hard landing event of undetermined time and location.
- [NTSB WPR21FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA143.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350-B3 · Palmer, AK · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 28, 2021 · N351SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately respond to an encounter with whiteout conditions, which resulted in the helicopter’s collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the (1) operator’s inadequate pilot training program and pilot competency checks,…
- [NTSB ANC20LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA089.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · Fort Greely, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 6, 2020 · N354PA · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the door lock due to interference between the door and a cargo box.
- [NTSB CEN19FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA109.md): Aerospatiale AS350 · Montgomery, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 27, 2019 · N818MC · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly re-install and secure a fuel line, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ANC18CA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18CA056.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Kobuk, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2018 · N354LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent dynamic rollover during takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA18CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA070.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · Santa Rosa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 6, 2017 · N790AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC17CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17CA041.md): Airbus AS350 · Delta Junction, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N351SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a steel frame attached to a tracked drilling unit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to visually identify the steel frame during the reconnaissance process.
- [NTSB GAA17CA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA404.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · King Vale, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2017 · N357PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.
- [NTSB ERA17LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA126.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · San Juan, PR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2017 · N413LP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's incorrect manipulations of the twist grip throttle control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in an engine overspeed and subsequent fire.
- [NTSB WPR16FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA040.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350 · Superior, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2015 · N74317 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control in mountainous terrain as the result of operating the helicopter outside the performance envelope of its hydraulic system and encountering the servo transparency phenomenon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN15TA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15TA017.md): Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3 · Lordsburg, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Oct 17, 2014 · N852BP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate drift control and skid clearance from the ground during takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover when the aft right skid contacted a rock.
- [NTSB WPR14TA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14TA370.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Lincoln, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 5, 2014 · N217HP · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the engine to provide sufficient power when commanded by the pilot during the power recovery phase of a practice autorotation for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or…
- [NTSB WPR14TA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14TA357.md): Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3 · Hemet, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Aug 28, 2014 · N991SD · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to adequately brief and demonstrate the simulated emergency procedure to the pilot under instruction and his delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision during the maneuver, which resulted in an excessive sink rate and a…
- [NTSB CEN14IA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14IA329.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Temple, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 2014 · N808LF · Minor damage
  > The pilot’s failure to reposition the yaw servo hydraulic switch to the “on” position during the pretakeoff hydraulic system check, which resulted in a complete lack of hydraulic boost to the tail rotor system and increased the load required to move the…
- [NTSB ANC14LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14LA041.md): Airbus/Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Anchorage, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 11, 2014 · N356EV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper engine start procedure, which resulted in an overspeed of the engine and main rotor drive system.
- [NTSB ERA14TA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14TA096.md): Eurocopter AS350B3 · Houlton, ME · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jan 18, 2014 · N578AE · Substantial damage
  > An engine compartment explosion during takeoff; the origin of the explosion could not be determined during postaccident examination due to extensive fire damage.
- [NTSB ERA14FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA010.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Somerville, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 2013 · N353HW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with night, instrument meteorological conditions while responding to an obstacle alert, resulting in an in-flight loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB CEN13FA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA331.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Grand Prairie, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N106LN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a simulated hydraulics failure training maneuver, which resulted in his loss of control of the helicopter and its subsequent impact with terrain, and the flight instructor's…
- [NTSB ANC13GA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13GA036.md): Eurocopter AS350 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Final report · Mar 31, 2013 · N911AA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of control. Also causal was the Alaska Department of Public Safety's punitive culture and…
- [NTSB WPR12TA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12TA120.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 1, 2012 · N341HP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s improper use of the collective control during a practice hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR12CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA118.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Poway, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 25, 2012 · N118MB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA11CA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA433.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Humacao, PR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2011 · N413LP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a building during landing.
- [NTSB WPR11LA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA352.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Troutdale, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2011 · N808LF · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the tail rotor drive shaft cover as a result of maintenance personnel not ensuring that it was secured after a maintenance inspection; also causal was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter.
- [NTSB ERA10MA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10MA188.md): Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · Brownsville, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2010 · N855HW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to attempt the flight into approaching adverse weather, resulting in an encounter with a thunderstorm with localized instrument meteorological conditions, heavy rain, and severe turbulence that led to a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR10CA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA164.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Parker, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 16, 2010 · N4282 · Substantial damage
  > The mechanics' failure to account for all the tools following a maintenance procedure and the pilot's failure to perform a preflight check before a maintenance test flight.
- [NTSB WPR10CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA028.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 22, 2009 · N105LN · Substantial damage
  > The improper use of the throttle by the pilot receiving instruction, and the check pilot's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in the collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA09TA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09TA440.md): Eurocopter AS 350B3 · Jacksonville, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Aug 4, 2009 · N186AE · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's improper decision to attempt hover flight without hydraulic power and his subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR09TA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09TA001.md): Eurocopter AS350B3 · Blaine, WA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 2, 2008 · N172AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [NTSB LAX08LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA198.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Ash Fork, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2008 · N586AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in his failure to detect and compensate for an unintentional descent during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate choice of landing approach, reduced visibility from brownout…
- [NTSB DFW07GA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07GA119.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · San Elizario, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · May 22, 2007 · N851BP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's encounter with a vortex ring state and his inability to maintain control of the helicopter.
- [NTSB LAX06LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA273.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B3 · Casa Grande, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 2006 · N973AE · Substantial damage
  > Internal damage to the stop electro valve which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power during takeoff.
- [NTSB SEA06GA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06GA158.md): Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 4 fatal · Final report · Aug 13, 2006 · N355EV · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional low altitude flight and his failure to maintain an adequate altitude to clear the trees.
- [NTSB DFW06TA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06TA127.md): Aerospatiale AS350-B3 · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · May 16, 2006 · N183AE · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's improper supervision of the flight which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC06TA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06TA047.md): American Eurocopter AS350 B3 · Nikiski, AK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Apr 21, 2006 · N911AA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain during an aborted takeoff in whiteout conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was whiteout conditions.
- [NTSB LAX05LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA308.md): Eurocopter AS350B3 · Running Springs, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2005 · N814CE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from trees while performing long line external lift operations.
- [NTSB LAX05FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA053.md): Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · Apache Junction, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 2004 · N971AE · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control during the final approach to land for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX05LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA025.md): Eurocopter AS350B3 · Sierra Vista, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 2004 · N106LN · Substantial damage
  > An inconsistency between the engines' two N2 sensor signals caused the fuel control to enter a fixed mode, which limited the power available. Contributing to the accident was the lack of altitude and airspeed available to give the pilot time to select a…
- [NTSB LAX04CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA097.md): Eurocopter AS350 B3 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 20, 2004 · N970AE · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's excessive flare and mistimed collective application during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing. Also causal, was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate…
- [NTSB MIA04WA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04WA033.md): Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 · Guayaramerim, Brazil · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 9, 2003 · N32TJ · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX04TA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA052.md): Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Nov 25, 2003 · N846BP · Substantial damage
  > 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 undertorqued drive system bolts.
- [NTSB LAX04LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA035.md): Eurocopter AS350 B3 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 2003 · N820NA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent activation of the hydraulic test switch, which resulted in a loss of the hydraulic system pressure, and his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX03GA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03GA145.md): Eurocopter France AS350B3 · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 1, 2003 · N341HP · Substantial damage
  > the pilot under instruction's inadvertent activation of the collective manual fuel slide lock, which led to engine and main rotor overspeeds due to excessive fuel flow during power application. This resulted in failures of the gas generator turbine (N1)…
- [NTSB LAX02TA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02TA299.md): Eurocopter AS350-B3 · Bishop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 29, 2002 · N352SA · Substantial damage
  > the disengagement of the collective locking mechanism due to component wear.
- [NTSB FTW02LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA247.md): Eurocopter AS350B3 · Eagle Pass, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2002 · N747R · Substantial damage
  > The insufficient length of the stepper motor rack inside the HMU, which caused the red "GOV" light to illuminate and the fuel metering valve to freeze causing the engine to automatically engage the manual mode.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=8680954&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('8680954'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=8680954

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