Accident Overview
On December 16, 2024, at approximately 1030 Pacific standard time, a Customs and Border Protection Airbus A350 B3 helicopter, registration N617GC, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Potrero, California. The pilot suffered fatal injuries. The flight was conducted as a public use mission.
Flight History
The helicopter departed from Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego, California, around 0856. According to ADS-B data, the helicopter initially flew west, then executed a climbing right turn to the north. At about 1006:54, while at 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl), it turned east and continued climbing, gradually transitioning to a northeasterly heading. By 0933:59, it had leveled off at approximately 5,800 ft msl before turning southeast and descending for about 7 minutes. At 0950:38, the helicopter reached 4,650 ft msl and began climbing again, returning to 5,800 ft msl over the next 14 minutes.
At 1007:52, the helicopter performed an extended left-hand 360° turn, descending to about 4,600 ft msl, then climbing back to about 5,600 ft msl. At 1021:58, it turned to the southwest and leveled off 4 minutes later at 4,300 ft msl. In the final 49 seconds starting at 1029:26, the helicopter made two S-turns while descending from 4,200 ft to 3,100 ft msl. The emergency locator transmitter first activated at 1030:34, as reported by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
Wreckage
The helicopter came to rest on its left side in a field of dry brush, oriented on a magnetic heading of 309° at an elevation of about 2,450 ft msl. Three distinct ground scars were observed near the tailboom. One scar measured 4 feet by 2 feet and was located next to the outboard end of a main rotor blade. A second scar, about 1 foot forward of the first, contained another main rotor blade. A third scar was approximately 6 inches from the left horizontal stabilizer. All three main rotor blades remained attached to the rotor hub but exhibited fractures, broom strawing, and fragmentation.
Examination
The helicopter wreckage was retained for further examination.