What happened
On October 28, 2007, at approximately 18:00 local time, a Dynali H2S helicopter, registration F-PNJT, was involved in a hijacking incident near the Ittre penitentiary center. The aircraft was taken over by individuals intending to assist a prisoner in escaping the facility.
During the event, the helicopter landed within the central courtyard of the prison. A convict successfully jumped onto the aircraft's skids, and several other inmates attempted to board the helicopter as well. As the pilot attempted to lift off from the courtyard, the aircraft became unstable and tipped over onto its right side, causing severe damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized use of the aircraft and the physical mechanics of the crash. Investigators established that the aircraft was used as a vehicle for a prison escape attempt. The investigation examined the weight and balance of the helicopter at the moment of the accident, noting the presence of unauthorized individuals on the landing gear.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the uncontrolled external action of individuals who placed the helicopter in an unbalanced state.
- The weight of the two people clinging to the skids caused the aircraft to exceed its maximum load capacity of 245 kg.
- This weight imbalance led to the loss of stability during the takeoff phase, resulting in the tip-over.