Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the fuel control unit control lever arm, which resulted in fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
The flight crew had competed their aerial observation and were enroute to the destination airport. While enroute, the pilot felt a violent yaw to the right, saw the engine low pressure annunciator illuminate, and heard the low rotor horn. After the engine lost power, the pilot transferred the flight controls to the copilot, who performed an autorotation and landed the helicopter in a brush-covered field.
Postaccident examination and testing of the engine revealed that the engine’s fuel control unit (FCU) control lever arm was broken. Metallurgical examination of the control lever arm revealed it had failed due to a fatigue fracture which resulted in a loss of fuel control to the engine and fuel starvation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA088 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 12, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Spofford, Texas
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night, dark
Eurocopter AS 350 B2
- N-number
- N204TX
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2003
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial observation
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.