What happened
On the evening of July 7, 1998, a Hughes-Schweizer 260 C helicopter, registered F-GYRA, was engaged in agricultural spraying operations over a cornfield near Creuzier-le-Neuf. The pilot was performing the final pass of a spraying mission that had been conducted in several 50-minute intervals over a five-hour period.
The flight environment was challenging, characterized by turbulent atmospheric conditions and a wind blowing at 14 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. The terrain was complicated by several obstacles, including a high-voltage power line crossing the field, as well as nearby silos, houses, and a streetlight. Following a turn performed over an adjacent wheat field, the helicopter struck the ground, bounced, and eventually came to rest on its side. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances of the final flight segment and the operational environment. Investigators examined the flight path, noting that the wind was perpendicular to the direction of the spraying pass. The presence of high-voltage lines and other ground obstacles was documented as part of a constrained flying environment. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flight history and the duration of the day's operations.