2009 Domjulien Eurocopter AS 350 B3 accident

Overview and Flight Details On 9 October 2009, an Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter, registration F-GKRL, operated by SAF Helicoptères, was destroyed in a crash near the commune of Domjulien in the Vosges department (88), France. The aircraft was on a positioning flight, having departed from Epinal-Dogneville aerodrome at approximately 05:30 UTC, with the intention of picking up a technician at Vitry-le-François aerodrome for a gas pipeline surveillance mission. ## Accident Sequence Twelve minutes after takeoff, the helicopter struck a first row of trees, overflew a residence, and then collided with a second row of trees. The impact with the first row of trees indicated the aircraft was banked approximately 45 degrees to the left and on a descending trajectory. The helicopter was found resting on its back, with the cabin completely destroyed. ## Casualties and Damage The sole occupant, a 47-year-old male pilot, was killed in the accident. The helicopter was destroyed. ## Aircraft and Pilot Information The aircraft, serial number 3473, was first put into service on 30 January 2002 and had accumulated 4,600 flight hours by the date of the accident. It was powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B engine. The pilot held a professional helicopter pilot license and had a total of 3,205 flight hours, including 1,631 hours on the AS350/350B3 type. ## Environmental and Operational Factors At the time of the accident, low stratus clouds or a bank of fog were likely present at the site, creating reduced visibility conditions. A witness near the crash site reported visibility of only about 15 meters due to fog shortly after the accident. The pilot had not obtained a weather briefing from official meteorological services, and no weather documentation was found in the wreckage. ## Investigation Findings Technical examinations of the wreckage, including the rotors, engine, and transmission systems, did not reveal any malfunction that could explain the accident. Toxicological analysis of the pilot's blood revealed the presence of pholcodine, an antitussive substance from the opiate family, at a level above the therapeutic rate. The specific medication containing this substance could not be identified.