What happened
On May 12, 2023, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, registered F-GEXN, was performing agricultural spraying operations near Saint-Julien-de-Concelles. The pilot was engaged in a mission to apply opaque white paint to the tops of polytunnels to regulate temperature and light levels. The mission involved short, low-altitude flight rotations of approximately three minutes each.
While completing a pass over the tunnels and initiating a left-hand turn to begin a new pass, the helicopter's left skid made contact with a medium voltage (20,000 V) power line. The impact caused two of the three cables to sever, and the remaining cable forced the aircraft into an inverted roll. The helicopter subsequently collided with the ground in a field of crops. The pilot sustained injuries, but was able to exit the destroyed aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path, the visibility conditions, and the pilot's preparation for the mission. Investigators examined the wreckage, which was found approximately 50 meters from the edge of a road. The analysis of the power line infrastructure confirmed that the left skid struck the cables at a height of approximately 7 meters.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience and the operator's standard operating procedures (SOPs). While the pilot was an experienced aviator with approximately 1,800 total flight hours, the investigation looked into why the power line, which the pilot was aware of from previous work, was not avoided during the maneuver.