Incident Overview
On September 10, 2009, at approximately 12:45 UTC, a Eurocopter AS350 B-2 helicopter with registration CS-HEY was involved in an accident near S. Domingos de Barrô, Resende, Portugal. The aircraft, operated by Helibravo and assigned to the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC), was engaged in firefighting operations along the Douro River.
Sequence of Events
The helicopter was maneuvering to release water from a Bambi Bucket onto a fire near residential areas. Visibility was reduced due to smoke. During the final approach, the pilot identified medium-voltage power lines at a distance of approximately five meters, which was insufficient for evasive action. The aircraft struck two cables; one severed and wrapped around the collective control linkages, while the other caught on the right skid, tearing it from its attachment points.
Outcome and Investigation
The pilot experienced partial loss of engine power and rotor RPM reduction but successfully executed an emergency autorotation onto unprepared terrain. The pilot exited the aircraft unharmed. The investigation noted that the power lines were not marked as obstacles. This incident was identified as the fifth collision with power lines in three years, highlighting a recurring safety concern for firefighting helicopters operating in mountainous terrain.