A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot lost their life in a helicopter crash near the U.S.-Mexico border, east of San Diego, on Monday morning. The Eurocopter AS350 went down around 10:15 a.m. in a private field near Potrero. The CBP confirmed the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was pronounced dead at the scene. The helicopter was engaged in a border security operation at the time of the incident. The pilot's identity has not been released.

This tragic event marks the second helicopter crash in San Diego County this year. In February, a separate crash tragically claimed the lives of five U.S. Marines. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of Monday's crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide updates as they become available.