What happened
On September 1, 2022, at 18:22 UTC, a Bell 412 helicopter, registration EC-MEJ, was engaged in an aerial firefighting mission near Paranhos, Amares, Portugal. The aircraft, operated by Helibravo, was performing maneuvers near a forest fire when it collided with high-voltage power lines. The impact resulted in serious injuries to one crew member, while the pilot remained uninjured. The aircraft sustained significant damage during the collision.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the operational environment of the aerial firefighting mission, specifically focusing on the risks associated with maneuvering near artificial obstacles. The investigation reviewed the contractual arrangements between the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), which manages the air assets, and the private operator. The investigators also evaluated the effectiveness of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the impact of external pressures, such as ground crew expectations and mission urgency, on flight safety.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision with power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.
- The mission involved high-risk operations near artificial obstacles, which presented significant hazards to the flight crew.
- Factors contributing to the accident included potential loss of situational awareness and "tunnel vision" focused on the firefighting mission.
- There were identified gaps in pilot training regarding human factors, specifically in managing external pressures and maintaining awareness of obstacles.
- The investigation noted that ground teams may inadvertently encourage deviations from established SOPs by pressuring crews to approach hazards to meet mission objectives.