What happened
On January 22, 2006, an AS-350 B2 helicopter, registration PR-CAV, was performing a transport mission from the Lagoa Helipad to the Verolme Shipyard in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro. The flight was intended to pick up two passengers for a return trip to Rio de Janeiro.
As the aircraft approached its destination, it struck a hillside at an altitude of approximately 700 feet. The impact caused a post-crash fire that completely consumed the aircraft. The pilot sustained fatal injuries at the scene. The aircraft was rendered a total loss.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the wreckage and the operational history of the flight. Technical analysis of the engine and the main transmission revealed no mechanical discrepancies; evidence indicated the engine was producing high power at the moment of impact. Meteorological reports confirmed favorable visual flight conditions with clear skies and calm winds.
The investigation focused on two primary hypotheses for the loss of control: a sudden physiological impairment of the pilot or a bird strike. Investigators noted that the wreckage was located in an area with a high concentration of vultures. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the pilot's medical status, noting that the pilot had reported experiencing intestinal distress the previous night and on the morning of the accident. While the autopsy did not provide definitive evidence of a medical event causing unconsciousness, the pilot's decision to continue flying despite feeling unwell was a key point of interest.