History of the Flight
The pilot, accompanied by four passengers, departed Courchevel mountain airfield around 16:40 for a scenic flight over Les Trois Vallées, planned to last approximately 20 minutes. At approximately 17:00, the pilot informed the AFIS officer that he had returned to the circuit but then continued southeast toward Courchevel-Moriond and Mount Charvet. The helicopter flew over the Col de la Grande Pierre pass and then followed the Mount Charvet ridge at low speed and low height. While in a slight descent, the tail rotor struck snow-covered terrain as the helicopter passed over a spur. The tail rotor drive shaft ruptured, causing the helicopter to spin about its yaw axis and fall vertically. The tail boom detached, and the helicopter broke apart on impact.
Helicopter Information
The accident aircraft was a Bell 206B3, registration F-HUBA, serial number 3881. It was a five-seat, single-engine helicopter with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,451.5 kg. The engine was a Rolls-Royce 250-C20J. The helicopter was equipped with an IntelliStart data recorder. At takeoff, with five occupants and 181.6 kg of fuel, the weight was 1,438.6 kg, within the manufacturer's weight and balance limits.
Pilot Information
The 61-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot Licence (Helicopters) issued in November 2007 and a class 2 medical certificate with VML limitation. He had logged approximately 930 total flight hours, about 860 hours on the Bell 206. In the previous 90 days, he had flown about three hours, all on F-HUBA.
Accident Site and Wreckage
The accident occurred on the Mount Charvet ridge at an altitude of 2,360 m, about four kilometers from Courchevel airfield. The helicopter broke into several pieces; the main parts were located in three different places over a 100 m vertical distance. The cabin and rotor mast were approximately 25 m from the aft fuselage. Examination revealed no pre-impact failures in the airframe, engine, or flight controls. The tail rotor damage was consistent with striking snow, causing a torsional failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. The tail boom detached due to impact with terrain.
Meteorological Conditions
According to Météo-France, the Courchevel region was overcast with dense low clouds on the western slopes. Visibility was greater than 10 km but reduced near slopes. At altitude, wind was from the southwest at 10 to 15 kt with turbulence on the ridges. At the airfield, the wind was from 210° at 4 kt at 17:00.
Recorded Data
The IntelliStart computer recorded pressure altitude and engine parameters; no engine failure was indicated, and the engine delivered power until impact. The data showed the helicopter flew over Col de la Grande Pierre at 2,413 m with 20 m clearance, then followed the ridge at decreasing speed and height. Spectral analysis of video audio confirmed normal rotor and engine speeds before impact. The collision occurred at 17:06:19 at an altitude of about 2,360 m.
Witness Statements
The pilot recalled taking off around 16:45 and flying a route through Méribel, Belleville Valley, and Val Thorens, and contacting the tower for return. He did not recall the moments before the accident. A passenger in the rear center seat remembered flying over La Saulire and Courchevel-Moriond, then suddenly feeling an impact and rapid rolling. He heard the pilot exclaim but not finish the sentence.