What happened
On July 11, 2021, at approximately 01:44 local time, an Airbus Helicopters AS 365 N3, registration EC-JDQ, operated by ELIANCE HELICOPTER GLOBAL SERVICES, crashed into the sea off the coast of Algeciras, Spain. The aircraft, belonging to the Customs Surveillance Service (SVA), was conducting a routine maritime patrol flight with a crew of three, including the pilot, co-pilot, and a customs agent.
During the flight, the crew received radio communication that an SVA patrol vessel was pursuing a speedboat. The customs agent on board the helicopter offered aerial support for the pursuit. To assist the vessel, the helicopter crew began a progressive descent from 3,500 ft. Guided by the customs agent using surveillance equipment, the helicopter descended to an altitude of less than 100 ft to track the vessels.
While attempting to follow the constant turns of the two boats, the helicopter performed a sudden maneuver that caused the tail to strike the water. The aircraft overturned to the right and capsized. Although the crew successfully deployed the emergency floats and the two flight crew members managed to egress the aircraft, the customs agent remained trapped inside the submerged helicopter.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight maneuvers, the operational procedures of the operator, and the emergency response. Investigators established that the crew was flying at 130 knots with 70% torque, significantly higher than the standard tracking speed of 110 knots. The investigation also examined the effectiveness of the rescue efforts by the patrol vessel and the response times of the medical emergency services.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the execution of a sudden maneuver at a low altitude and with reduced visibility, an operation that was not authorized or included in the operator's Manual of Operations.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to the tail and the main rotor.
- The customs agent sustained fatal injuries; despite being rescued from the submerged aircraft and receiving continuous CPR during transport to Sotogrande, the individual was pronounced dead one hour after arriving at the port.
- The investigation noted that while the maritime rescue was immediate, there were delays in the arrival of medical ambulances from the regional emergency services.