What happened
On December 16, 2024, at approximately 10:30 Pacific standard time, an Airbus AS350B3 helicopter, registration N617GC, was involved in an accident near Potrero, California. The aircraft, operated by the Department of Homeland Security for a routine aerial support mission, resulted in 1 fatality.
Data from the Federal Aviation Administration's ADS-B system tracked the flight path starting from Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego. After departing at 08:56, the helicopter performed several maneuvers, including climbing turns and altitude changes. At 09:33, the aircraft leveled off at approximately 5,800 feet mean sea level (msl). Following a period of descent and subsequent climbs, the aircraft turned southwest and leveled off at 4,300 feet msl at 10:25. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter performed two S-turns while descending from 4,200 feet to 3,100 feet msl. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center recorded the first emergency locator transmitter signal at 10:30:34.
The helicopter came to rest on its left side in a field of dry brush at an elevation of approximately 2,450 feet msl. The wreckage exhibited three distinct ground scars near the tailboom. One main rotor blade was found next to a 4-foot by 2-foot ground signature, while a second main rotor blade was located in a separate ground scar. A third scar was noted near the left horizontal stabilizer. All three main rotor blades remained attached to the rotor hub but showed various fractures and fragmentation.