# NTSB Accident LAX03GA145
> **Eurocopter France AS350B3** · 2003-05-01 · Napa, CA, USA · NONE
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX03GA145
- **Event ID:** 20030513X00645
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2003-05-01
- **Location:** Napa, CA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 38.213054, -122.280555
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** NONE
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 3
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Eurocopter France
- **Model:** AS350B3
- **Registration:** N341HP
- **FAR Part:** PUBU
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

the pilot under instruction's inadvertent activation of the collective manual fuel slide lock, which led to engine and main rotor overspeeds due to excessive fuel flow during power application.  This resulted in failures of the gas generator turbine (N1) blades, power turbine (N2) blades, and created an external engine fire.  A factor in the accident was the manufacturer's inadequate design of the twist grip slide lock, which had insufficient safeguards to preclude inadvertent activation.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX03GA145) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*