What happened
On May 3, 2024, a Bell 206B helicopter, registration F-BXPF, was conducting a mosquito eradication mission near Peyriac-de-Mer. After completing several spraying passes, the pilot began a transit leg across Bages Lake to return to the helicopter landing site.
While flying at an altitude of approximately 60 meters, the aircraft entered a smooth descent at an average vertical speed of 350 ft/min. After roughly 35 seconds of descending, the helicopter struck the surface of the water and sank. The pilot successfully unfastened his seatbelt and escaped through the broken canopy, where he was rescued by a nearby fisherman.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path, the aircraft's mechanical condition, and the pilot's actions. Data from the onboard Garmin GTN650 and the pilot's mobile phone confirmed the flight path and altitude.
Technical examinations of the Bell 206B revealed that the engine was operating and delivering power at the time of impact. The fuel system was found to be intact and free of contamination, though a salt deposit was noted at the bottom of the fuel tank. The wreckage, which was recovered from a depth of two meters, showed that the tail boom had ruptured due to contact with the water surface.
Investigators also examined the pilot's use of a mobile phone, which was mounted to the canopy. The pilot reported that because the operator's usual tablet was unavailable, he was using a mobile phone to monitor his position and track completed spray areas. He noted that reading the smaller screen required him to lean forward, a movement that coincided with the start of the descent.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the collision with the water surface:
- The pilot's attention was diverted by the use of a mobile phone as a navigation aid while flying at a low altitude.
- The physical position required to read the mobile phone caused the pilot to lean forward, which resulted in an unintentional nose-down input.
- The flight was conducted at a low altitude over a water surface with minimal visual references, significantly reducing safety margins.