What happened
On May 5, 2000, at approximately 12:00 local time, an Agusta-Bell AB 47 G2 helicopter, registered F-GDJP, was engaged in aerial spraying operations near Pommard, France. The pilot was performing sulfating treatments on a vineyard located at the edge of a residential area, adjacent to a road, a low wall, and low-voltage electrical lines.
Following the completion of an initial pass, the pilot intended to perform a left-hand turn over the power lines, a maneuver consistent with previous flight patterns. However, upon evaluating the proximity of the wires, the pilot decided to alter the maneuver and instead initiated a level right-hand turn. During this turn, the tips of the main rotor blades struck the electrical lines. The impact caused the aircraft to lose stability, leading to a crash against a stone wall on the left side of the aircraft. The force of the impact was sufficient to sever an electrical pole.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the pilot's decision-making process during the maneuver. The pilot, who possessed 1,503 total flight hours including 670 on this specific type, was highly familiar with the area. The investigation noted that the pilot had been conducting spraying operations since 08:00 that morning on several other difficult plots that required heightened levels of attention. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with visibility exceeding 15 km and moderate winds from the south-southwest.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of vigilance.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage, and the collision resulted in damage to third-party property, including an electrical pole.
- The pilot's decision to change the planned maneuver mid-turn contributed to the rotor strike.