What happened
On October 20, 2004, at approximately 17:20 UTC, a Bell 206 B helicopter, registration I-BSHV, crashed in the Muzzano area, specifically within the Bagneri hamlet of Biella, Italy. The aircraft had departed from a private helipad in Formigliana for a recreational VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight.
During the flight, the area was covered by dense fog, significantly reducing visibility. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying at an extremely low altitude near the treetops before it struck the forest vegetation and caught fire. The impact was severe enough to sever the tail boom from the main fuselage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries upon impact. Post-mortem examinations confirmed that the pilot died instantly from the impact and was already deceased before the subsequent fire consumed the fuselage.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the wreckage distribution and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the debris field was highly localized, with the tail boom and the charred main fuselage located only a short distance from each other. This limited spread allowed investigators to rule out any in-flight structural failure occurring prior to the impact with the trees.
Technical examinations of the aircraft confirmed that the Bell 206 B was airworthy, with all maintenance inspections and registrations up to date. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting that he held a valid private helicopter license and was properly rated for the aircraft type. Toxicological analysis of the pilot showed no presence of alcohol or drugs that could have impaired his ability to fly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).
- Severe meteorological conditions, specifically dense fog, led to a loss of situational awareness regarding the aircraft's altitude relative to the terrain.
- The aircraft struck the treetops, causing the tail boom to detach and the main rotor blades to sustain damage.
- The impact caused the fuselage to strike the ground in a nose-down attitude, leading to the pilot's immediate death and a post-impact fire fueled by engine heat and onboard fuel.