Eurocopter AS332L1 accident near Azusa, California, March 20, 2022
On March 20, 2022, a Eurocopter AS332L1 (helicopter), registered N950SG, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Azusa, California. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree after encountering brownout conditions and a loss of visual reference during the approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 2022
- Place
- Azusa, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS332L1 · all AS332L1s on the register
- Registration
- N950SG · no longer on the register · serial 9007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter stated that, while maneuvering around the area looking for a suitable landing site, a dirt turnout alongside a road was selected. A tree was noted on the edge of the turnout. An approach was initiated to the site and expected brownout was encountered. About 5 ft above ground, the pilot heard the crewmember in the back of the helicopter call out “hold.” The pilot arrested the descent and came to a hover. Within seconds the asphalt roadway reference was obscured by the brownout and he lost visual reference. He announced, “lost visual” and started to climb, which was his last recollection before regaining consciousness. The crewmember in the back of the helicopter reported that the helicopter approached the landing zone angled, to the south toward a tree. About 7 to 10 ft above the ground, he noticed that the helicopter was drifting forward, and he called out twice, “You are drifting forward, hold.” The helicopter continued to drift and subsequently, struck a tree and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor system. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of visual reference during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during maneuvering (hover)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Situational awareness › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,382 hours in all; 1,243 in this make and model; 88 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 4,691 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 9, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,686 hours in all; 297.2 in this make and model; 72.4 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 2,235.1 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 26, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Other crew
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
Other crew
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 18,960 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Safran Makila 1A1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Safran Makila 1A1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: County Of Los Angeles
The flight
- Departed from: LGB Long Beach CA
- Destination: Yermo CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 | 1 | ||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot and Crew Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.