What happened
On 4 October 2015, an Airbus Helicopters AS350-B3, registered F-OIAO, was engaged in a firefighting mission near Voh, New Caledonia. The aircraft, operated by Hélicocéan, was carrying a pilot and a mechanic to combat a fire in the area. After returning to Koné to refuel, the crew returned to the fire site to continue operations.
During the mission, the pilot performed several maneuvers, likely attempting to scoop water using a Bambi Bucket. During these maneuvers, the bucket became entangled in mangrove vegetation. This snagging caused the helicopter to tip forward, leading to a collision with the vegetation and the ground. The impact resulted in two fatalities, as both the pilot and the mechanic were killed.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the specialized firefighting operations and the pilot's training. Investigators examined the aircraft, the Bambi Bucket, and the regulatory framework governing specialized activities in New Caledonia. The investigation also looked into the pilot's recent flight experience, noting that while she was an experienced commercial pilot, she was still in the learning phase of firefighting helicopter (FFH) operations.
Technical examinations of the wreckage and the equipment were conducted, alongside an analysis of the company's training programs and the regulatory requirements for issuing Declarations of Proficiency (DNC) in the region. The investigation also considered the impact of workload and potential fatigue on the crew's ability to manage the emergency.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified that impacted the crew's ability to manage the situation:
- The pilot was still acquiring the specific techniques required for firefighting and was experiencing a high workload due to the pressure of the active fire.
- The Bambi Bucket became snagged in vegetation, which directly triggered the loss of control.
- There was insufficient supervised training for the specialized firefighting activity, as the regulatory framework at the time did not mandate supervised flights in real conditions after obtaining a DNC.
- The pilot faced personal and professional pressure to succeed in her new role, which may have limited her ability to voice concerns regarding operational difficulties.
- The regulatory framework in New Caledonia lacked specific requirements for the training and proficiency of pilots performing specialized aerial work.