What happened
On November 23, 2015, an Airbus AS 350 B3 helicopter, registration VT-JKB, was performing a scheduled shuttle service between Katra Helipad and Sanji Chhat Helipad. The aircraft, operated by M/s Himalayan Heli Services Pvt. Ltd., was carrying six passengers at the time of the accident.
During the climb phase of the flight, a vulture struck the aircraft, shattering the cockpit windshield and entering the cockpit area. The impact left the pilot stunned and with impaired vision. In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot directed the aircraft toward a nearby open space for an immediate landing. However, during this descent, the helicopter struck electric cables located at the edge of the clearing. The entanglement caused the aircraft to topple and impact the ground upside down, immediately triggering a massive fire that engulfed the cabin.
The investigation
The AAIB India investigation focused on the sequence of events following the bird strike and the condition of the aircraft and crew. Investigators recovered a partially burnt vulture from the wreckage, confirming the strike. The inquiry examined the pilot's recent flight history, noting a period of inactivity prior to the flight, and reviewed the operator's safety management protocols. The investigation also looked into the visibility of hazards, such as the electric cables, during emergency maneuvers.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a bird strike that incapacitated the pilot's vision and stunned him.
- The pilot failed to identify overhead electric cables while attempting an emergency landing in an open area.
- The aircraft's impact with the cables caused it to flip and catch fire, resulting in 7 fatalities (the pilot and all six passengers).
- The operator was found to be operating without valid approval for a Safety Management System (SMS) or an Operations Manual.
- The pilot had not completed required periodic simulator training as mandated by civil aviation regulations.
- The pilot had returned to flight duties in this sector following an 11-day break without a formal familiarization flight.