What happened
On 25 November 2022, an Airbus EC130 T2 helicopter, registered 3A-MVT, was performing a commercial passenger flight from Lausanne, Switzerland, to Monaco. The flight was being conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). While descending toward the coast near Villefranche-sur-Mer, the aircraft encountered low-lying clouds and sea haze.
At approximately 12:30 UTC, the helicopter entered a cloud layer, resulting in a sudden loss of external visual references. Following the entry into the clouds, the aircraft began performing unusual pitch, roll, and yaw maneuvers. The pilot attempted to correct the attitude, but the aircraft entered a steep climb and subsequently became inverted. The helicopter struck the terrain at high speed, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, flight data from the onboard Vision 1000 camera, and GNSS recordings. The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions, the pilot's training, and the operational environment. Investigators analyzed the pilot's physiological state through hair sample analysis, which revealed the presence of cocaine. The investigation also reviewed the operator's screening policies and the pilot's training regarding blind navigation and inadvertent entry into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
Findings
Several critical factors contributed to the accident:
- The pilot was under the influence of drugs, specifically cocaine, which impaired his judgment and ability to maintain flight parameters.
- The pilot lacked sufficient training in blind navigation and procedures for recovering from an inadvertent entry into clouds.
- The use of sunglasses by the pilot reduced his ability to effectively monitor instruments in a low-contrast, hazy environment.
- Rapidly developing sea haze and low clouds caused a sudden loss of visual references near the terrain.
- Existing screening methods, such as saliva or urine tests, were insufficient to detect the surreptitious use of substances by the pilot.