# NTSB WPR22LA125: Eurocopter AS332L1, N950SG, Azusa, CA, March 20, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 19, 2022, 17:04 local (Mar 20, 2022, 00:04 UTC) - Place: Azusa, CA - Coordinates: 34.176519, -117.88304 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1765&lon=-117.8830&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 4 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 104802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104802/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104802 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree after encountering brownout conditions and a loss of visual reference during the approach to land. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS332L1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8680941), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter stated that, while maneuvering around the area looking for a suitable landing site, a dirt turnout alongside a road was selected. A tree was noted on the edge of the turnout. An approach was initiated to the site and expected brownout was encountered. About 5 ft above ground, the pilot heard the crewmember in the back of the helicopter call out “hold.” The pilot arrested the descent and came to a hover. Within seconds the asphalt roadway reference was obscured by the brownout and he lost visual reference. He announced, “lost visual” and started to climb, which was his last recollection before regaining consciousness. The crewmember in the back of the helicopter reported that the helicopter approached the landing zone angled, to the south toward a tree. About 7 to 10 ft above the ground, he noticed that the helicopter was drifting forward, and he called out twice, “You are drifting forward, hold.” The helicopter continued to drift and subsequently, struck a tree and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N950SG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N950SG-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 9007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS332L1 - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS332L1](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as332l1) (registry code 8680941) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 9007 - Engines: Safran Makila 1A1 1877 hp turbo shaft; Safran Makila 1A1 1877 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: County Of Los Angeles - Registered owner: County Of Los Angeles - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: Yermo, CA - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,382 total, 1,243 in this make and model, 4,691 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,686 total, 297.2 in this make and model, 2,235.1 as pilot in command, 72.4 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; injuries: serious; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point - Other flight crew; injuries: minor; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220319021609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220319021609A), Mar 19, 2022: Eurocopter AS332L1, Azusa, CA, Destroyed. The pilot of helicopter [privacy data omitted] struck a tree with its main rotor blades and it landed on its left-hand side. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104802. 7.7 MB in all. - Materials laboratory factual report (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 11 photos, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14146637&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=22-049%20-%20Materials%20Lab%20Factual%20Report%20(WPR22LA125)-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14255332&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot and crew statements (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14256879&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Crew%20Statements-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14256562&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR22LA125-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.