Eurocopter AS 350 N357PJ

Summary

On 11 July 2017 at about 22:10 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 registered N357PJ was involved in an accident near King Vale, California, United States. 6 people were on board and 6 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 2017 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

King Vale, California, United States

Coordinates

39.3053, -120.4344

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350

Registration

N357PJ

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Soda Springs → King Vale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA404

6 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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 6 ft above the ground, the pilot felt a sudden impact, followed by subsequent impacts from the two additional rotor blades impacting what was later 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.