What happened
On December 29, 2005, an AS350 B2 helicopter, registration PP-EDJ, operated by CIOPAER, was conducting a routine police patrol flight near Fortaleza, Brazil. After completing its patrol, the aircraft attempted to land at a designated helipad. During the first approach, the pilot executed an overshoot and performed a go-around.
On the subsequent second approach, the pilot attempted a shortened traffic pattern. While executing a left-hand base turn at an estimated altitude of only 150 feet, the aircraft entered an aggressive bank. The helicopter suddenly lost altitude while maintaining a high degree of lateral inclination, leading to a collision with the terrain in an uninhabited area. The impact resulted in three fatalities and two serious injuries.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the flight profiles used during the approach. Technical analysis of the engine and transmission components revealed that all systems, including the engine, main gearbox, and tail rotor, were fully operational and producing power at the time of impact. Maintenance records showed the aircraft was up to date with its inspections.
Flight simulations conducted by the manufacturer's representative in Brazil confirmed that a bank angle of 60 degrees, without proper pitch compensation, would cause a loss of 2-hundred feet in just five seconds, making it impossible to maintain altitude or airspeed. The investigation also looked into the organizational culture of the operator, noting a lack of formal supervision and a tendency to use operational missions as training opportunities without adequate oversight.