Eurocopter AS 350B2 Ecureuil crash near near Ouarzazate, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco

On a survey flight near Ouarzazate the pilot heard a grinding noise, then saw a chip light accompanied by a high oil pressure reading. He released the sling load and attempted to autorotate onto a highway, but the helicopter landed hard. The tail boom detached, the landing gear spread and the windshield shattered as the aircraft nosed forward, coming to rest upright. The pilot and survey technician were unhurt. Classified as a powerplant failure.