EUROCOPTER AS 350
King Vale, CA — July 11, 2017
Event Information
| Date | July 11, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA404 |
| Event ID | 20170711X32453 |
| Location | King Vale, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.30528, -120.43445 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | EUROCOPTER |
| Model | AS 350 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 6 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 6 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the helicopter reported that, during the landing on the unimproved dirt parking lot, dust started to kick up, and he transitioned to looking through the "chin bubble" for a visual point of reference. When the helicopter was about 5 to 6ft. above the ground, the pilot felt a sudden impact, followed by subsequent impacts from the two additional rotor blades impacting what later was found to be a tree. The helicopter "violently" fell to the ground and rolled onto its left side.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.