What happened
On February 9, 2001, an AS 350 B3 helicopter, registration I-AMVG, was conducting a medical evacuation mission in the Colfosco di Corvara area of the Dolomites. Following a request for assistance, the crew had landed on a ski slope to retrieve an injured passenger. After successfully loading the patient, the helicopter attempted to depart for Corvara, where an ambulance was waiting.
Shortly after takeoff, while flying at a low translational speed, the aircraft's right skid struck the snowy surface of the "Edelweiss" ski slope. The impact induced a pitching motion that caused the main rotor blades to strike the snow, leading the helicopter to roll over and slide downslope. During the accident, a small fire broke out at the rear of the aircraft, which the pilot managed to extinguish using an onboard fire extinguisher. All occupants, including the pilot and medical personnel, escaped without injury, and the patient remained unharmed due to the protection of the vacuum mattress used during transport.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's airworthiness, the pilot's experience, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the AS 350 B3 was in a valid state of airworthiness and that the pilot held all required commercial licenses and medical certifications. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits.
Investigators also reviewed the operational context, noting that while the aircraft was being used for emergency medical services (HEMS), the cabin configuration had not been formally approved for such specialized tasks. The investigation also analyzed the meteorological conditions, which included light snowfall and overcast skies at approximately 1,900 meters altitude.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to properly account for critical environmental factors during the takeoff phase.
- The movement of the main rotor created a whirlwind of loose snow, which, combined with the ongoing light snowfall, caused the pilot to lose external visual references.
- The pressure of the medical mission may have influenced the pilot to operate at the edge of his experience and capability.
- The pilot underestimated the impact of the snow disturbance on visibility, leading to a lack of adequate altitude and position control.