N357PJ – EUROCOPTER AS 350 – 2017-07-11 NTSB Accident Report

On July 11, 2017, a Eurocopter AS 350 (N357PJ) was involved in an accident near King Vale, CA. The accident resulted in 6 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing in a dusty, unimproved landing zone.

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.

This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA404. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N357PJ.