Eurocopter AS332L1 N950SG

Summary

On 20 March 2022 at about 00:04 local time, a Eurocopter AS332L1 registered N950SG, operated by County of Los Angeles, was involved in an accident near Azusa, California, United States. 6 people were on board and 4 were seriously injured, 2 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

20 March 2022 at 00:04

Classification

Accident

Location

Azusa, California, United States

Coordinates

34.1765, -117.8830

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS332L1

Registration

N950SG

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

County of Los Angeles

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Long Beach → Yermo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA125

4 people were seriously injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.