No fatalities
EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3 accident at San Diego, CA, 24 May 2023
On May 24, 2023, an EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3 operated by US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY was involved in an aviation accident near San Diego, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 16 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a hover taxi due to distraction resulting from the unanticipated activation of strobing lights while using night vision googles.
— NTSB Determination
Contributing factors
PilotResponse/compensationAltitude — Not attained/maintained