What happened
On 6 April 2012, a Robinson R-22 Beta II helicopter, operated by Best in Sky S.N.C., was performing aerial photography over the city of Huy. The mission was commissioned by local merchants to document the impact of ongoing sewer works. After departing from Namur airfield, the aircraft flew a circuit around the city's populated areas, eventually approaching the city cableway.
Witnesses observed the helicopter hovering near the cableway cables. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted backward, causing the tail section to strike the cableway's main and secondary cables. The impact caused the helicopter to fall rapidly into a small park near the N66 road. The aircraft caught fire upon impact and was destroyed. The two fatalities on board, the pilot and a photographer, were killed by the forces of the impact.
The collision also caused the heavy 40 mm diameter steel cables to snap and fall into the city and the Meuse river, damaging several houses and disrupting both river and road traffic for over 24 hours.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) investigation reconstructed the flight path using radar echoes and analyzed witness statements. The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance and personnel records, noting the pilot's extensive experience. Investigators also analyzed the meteorological conditions, which were suitable for VFR flight, and the positioning of the sun, which was located behind the cables relative to the helicopter.
Findings
- The pilot likely lost visual contact with the cableway cables while hovering at a low altitude.
- The aircraft was operating in very close proximity to a fixed obstacle.
- The sun's position may have contributed to the difficulty in perceiving the cables.
Safety action
- The investigation identified a hazard regarding flying at insufficient heights and distances from obstacles.
- A recommendation was made to the BCAA to improve safety promotion regarding aerial photography practices.