Flight History
On 2 February 2018, an Airbus SE 313 B Alouette II helicopter, registration TU-HAI, departed from runway 21 of Abidjan FHB Airport at 07:50 UTC. The pilot, the sole occupant, was flying to Motobe for an agricultural spraying operation on a banana plantation. After departure, the helicopter climbed to 500 ft and was visible on radar with transponder code 1332. At 07:59, it passed point E at Grand-Bassam and was transferred from the control tower (118.1 MHz) to the Flight Information Centre (CIV) on frequency 129.1 MHz. At 08:04, the pilot informed CIV that he was landing at Motobe and left the frequency to begin spraying operations.
Accident Sequence
Around 08:15, the pilot started spraying operations. While applying his second load, flying at an altitude of 3 to 4 meters above the plantation, the pilot reported suddenly hearing a noise from the rear of the aircraft. In response, he performed a flare maneuver by applying aft cyclic and reducing collective pitch to decrease speed. Immediately after, to confirm the issue, he re-applied collective pitch, causing the helicopter to yaw to the left. He then reduced collective pitch to minimize speed and kept the aircraft as level as possible to execute an emergency landing. During this attempt, the helicopter struck the ground in an irrigation trench. The accident occurred around 08:50 UTC.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the helicopter unassisted. Plantation workers escorted him to the plantation infirmary. No other persons were on board. The helicopter was completely destroyed.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 52-year-old male holding an Ivorian ATPL-H license (CI-ATPL-H 0009) valid until 31 August 2018. He held type ratings for SA318/SE313, SA316/319/315, and AS350, and an examiner authorization (CI TRE(H) 0001). His Class 1 medical certificate, issued on 11 October 2017, was valid until 31 March 2018. Total flight experience was 7,835 hours, with 515 hours and 40 minutes on type. In the previous six months he had flown 81 hours and 20 minutes; in the previous two months, 65 hours and 40 minutes; and in the last 48 hours, 10 hours and 10 minutes.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Airbus Helicopters SE 313 B Alouette II, serial number 1489, registration TU-HAI, year of manufacture 1960. It was powered by a Turbomeca Artouste II-C6 engine. The helicopter was operated by Ivoire Helicoptere. No technical problems were reported before the accident.
Investigation
The Bureau des Enquêtes et Analyses des Accidents et incidents d’Aviation de Côte d’Ivoire (BEA-CI) opened an investigation. The purpose was to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident. The investigation noted the pilot's report of a sudden noise from the rear, followed by loss of control and collision with terrain.