What happened
On October 17, 2014, at approximately 12:45 mountain daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, registration N852BP, was performing a takeoff from level terrain near Lordsburg, New Mexico. During the departure, the helicopter drifted backward, causing the aft right skid to strike a rock that was partially embedded in the ground with 10 inches exposed.
Upon contact with the rock, the helicopter pivoted, causing the rotor blades to strike the ground and resulting in a roll onto its right side. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot sustained one minor injury. The flight was operated by US Customs and Border Protection under 14 CFR Part 91. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with 10 miles of visibility.
The investigation
Investigators from US Customs and Border Protection examined the wreckage and found no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Representatives from Airbus Helicopters analyzed data from the Vehicle Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD). The analysis showed that all recorded failures occurred due to the ground impact, and no anomalies were detected prior to the impact.