Yesterday (December 16), a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter crashed on the U.S. side of the Mexican border near Tijuana, Mexico, while on a border security mission. According to a CBP statement, the pilot and sole occupant of the 2009 Eurocopter AS350B3+ Ecureuil was killed. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. PST.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter crashed during a border security mission, killing the sole occupant, a CBP air interdiction agent, the pilot of the aircraft. The accident occurred northeast of San Diego’s Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM), well within U.S. territory. Tijuana, Mexico, about twenty miles southwest of the crash site, had no connection to the incident—though some media outlets couldn’t resist mentioning it for dramatic effect.
Flight tracking data shows the Eurocopter AS350B3+ Ecureuil, N617GC, departed SDM and was conducting maneuvers north of the U.S.-Mexico border before crashing. Reports noted the crash occurred on or near Sol Valley Ranch, a private property about three miles north of Potrero, California. Some coverage fixated on the ranch’s former hemp cultivation, despite its irrelevance to the crash.
This tragic accident highlights the dangers faced by those in border security. Unfortunately, media coverage often leans on unrelated details for attention rather than focusing on honoring the pilot’s sacrifice and investigating the cause of the crash.
Well said ! People are gullible and easily misled. condolences to the family and friends of the pilot.
Thanks, Raf. Amazing how the news media is more than willing to speculate on matters in which they have absolutely no expertise.
Was the pilot wearing NVD/G, by any chance?
Raf: Thanks for the comment. Tijuana was mentioned because it’s the nearest large, recognizable city, not for dramatic effect. Potrero, the nearest U.S. municipality to the ranch, is about two miles from the border, north of the city of Tecate (home of a second Taylor guitar factory, by the way). And, whether relevant or not, Green Hygienics Holdings, dba Sol Valley Ranch, is currently a CBD cannabis producer (Sol Valley’s lead Facebook image shows a large field of cannabis plants):
Not sure what NVD/G means, but if it refers to night vision goggles, the answer is “Probably not.” The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. PST.
What I see is 9 flights on Thursday, many of them looking like maintenance flights. Was a problem being troubleshot that suddenly showed back up or possibly a pitch link not locked down after adjustment? Very sad for the family particularly this time of year.
That’s a single engine helicopter, AS355 is twin derivative.
Doesn’t look like an organized border patrol flight pattern, perhaps looking for persons who crossed the border.
Shaking my head at the commenter who is amazed at speculation by the news media, and then goes on to speculate about night vision goggles.
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