Accident Overview
The Portuguese Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail (GPIAAF) released the final report (AC_18/ACCID/2015_RF) on the accident involving a Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopter, registration CS-HIA, operated by Everjets. The accident occurred on August 8, 2015, at 13:05 UTC in Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal. The report is titled 'CS-HIA Turbulence encounter and loss of control'.
Factual Information
The report's factual information section covers: history of the flight, injuries to persons, damage to the aircraft, other damage, flight crew information, aircraft information, meteorological information, aids to navigation, communications, aerodrome information, flight recorders, wreckage and impact information, medical and pathological information, fire, survival aspects, tests and research, organizational and management information, additional information, and useful investigation techniques.
Analysis
The analysis section addresses approach and landing, and the decision to deviate to pursue possible arsonists.
Probable Cause
The report identifies the accident as a turbulence encounter and loss of control.