What happened
On February 5, 2025, an AW109SP helicopter, registration I-CPFL, crashed near Noceto, Parma, shortly after departing from a private helipad in the Castelguelfo area. The flight was the final leg of a frequent route connecting Arcore, Faenza, Sala Bagazza, and Noceto.
The aircraft departed at 17:45 UTC. During the initial phase of flight, the helicopter struck the ground approximately 190 meters from the takeoff pad. The impact began with the nose wheel striking the wet ground, creating a furrow roughly 1.6 meters long. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and the three occupants—two pilots and one passenger—were killed.
The investigation
The ANSV examined the wreckage and recovered data from the Integrated Display Units (IDU). Preliminary analysis of the flight data shows that while the roll angle remained relatively level, the pitch angle underwent a significant change. After remaining steady at 2.2° until 17:50:45 UTC, the pitch increased to 6° before dropping sharply to a maximum negative value of approximately -38°. At the time the recording ended, the groundspeed had increased to roughly 88 knots.
Investigators also examined the wreckage components, noting that the main rotor blades remained attached to the rotor head, though fragments were scattered. The tail boom was found broken and displaced. No signs of fire were found at the scene, and fuel samples confirmed the use of standard JetA1. Weather conditions at the time of the accident involved heavy fog, with visibility reported at approximately 100 meters.
Findings
- The aircraft struck the ground with a significant nose-down pitch attitude.
- The impact occurred in wet terrain, causing the nose wheel to create a deep furrow.
- Meteorological conditions were characterized by dense fog and very low visibility.
- The aircraft was performing a routine, frequently repeated flight pattern.