What happened
On January 11, 2001, at approximately 10:30 UTC, an SA 316B helicopter, registration I-CRSR, departed from Morgex for a reconnaissance flight to the Monte Miravidi Glacier. The mission, operated by Eliservice s.r.l., involved the pilot and a mountain guide scouting a suitable landing site for future high-altitude ski transport operations.
Upon reaching the glacier, the pilot performed two reconnaissance passes to evaluate wind conditions and the stability of the snowpack. After an initial approach and a subsequent go-around, the pilot attempted a second landing at the chosen site. During the touchdown, the aircraft tilted to the right, causing the main rotor blades to strike the snow mass. This impact resulted in an abrupt stoppage of the rotor blades. The pilot immediately shut down the engine and disconnected the electrical power. Both occupants exited the aircraft through the left sliding door and moved to a safe distance without injury.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the structural damage sustained by the SA 316B and the flight parameters during the landing. The examination revealed significant damage to the airframe, including a deformed tail rotor boom, a broken right landing gear leg, and damaged transmission V-supports. The investigation also noted that the main rotor blades suffered trailing edge splits due to their progressive penetration into the snow.
Technical analysis confirmed that the damage to the tail rotor boom, landing gear, and transmission was consistent with a heavy landing. Furthermore, the deformation of the main transmission caused the movement of the rotor brake caliper, which locked the transmission rotation. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot held a valid commercial license with over 4,500 total flight hours, they had only accumulated approximately two hours of flight time specifically on the SA 316B model within the preceding months.