Introduction
On 25 January 2019, around 13:30 UTC, a mid-air collision occurred between a Jodel D.140E (registration F-PMGV) and an AS350 B3 (registration I-EDIC) in an area close to the Rutor Glacier, at coordinates 45°39’27.11”N 6°58’45.99”E. The collision took place at an altitude of approximately 2700 meters.
Aircraft and Operations
The Jodel D.140E (year built 2004, serial number 463, maximum takeoff mass 1200 kg, Lycoming O-360-A3A engine, total flight time 7392 hours) was conducting a training mission for a mountain rating. It carried three pilots: a recurrent training pilot (male, Belgian), a pilot in training (male, French), and an instructor (male, French).
The AS350 B3 (year built 2008, serial number 4458, maximum takeoff mass 2250 kg, Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 engine, total flight time around 2900 hours) was operating a commercial air transport heli-ski flight. It carried one pilot (male, Italian, 53 years old, total flight experience 7080 hours) and five passengers (skiers).
Narrative
After the collision, both aircraft sustained damages that prevented continued flight, leading to crashes. The pilot and four passengers on board the helicopter, as well as two pilots on board the airplane, died. The French instructor pilot on the Jodel and a German skier on the helicopter survived the crash and were hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Aosta Regional Hospital.
The helicopter was operated by GM Helicopters, based in Entrèves (Courmayeur), and was performing heli-ski flights. The airplane had departed from Megève airport (France) around 13:00 UTC for its training flight. Weather conditions at the time were CAVOK (Ceiling and Visibility OK).
Findings from Ground Evidence
Examination of the distribution of wreckage and evidence on both aircraft indicated that the mid-air collision occurred with the airplane positioned higher than the helicopter. The first contact was between the lower right side of the airplane and the main rotor of the helicopter. After contact, the airplane broke up in flight, separating into at least four sections: the engine, wings, canopy, and tail. These elements were found separated on the ground. The helicopter suffered serious damage to its main rotor blades, which likely prevented the helicopter from maintaining control, resulting in a subsequent crash.
The collision occurred with both aircraft having a ground track substantially heading south, consistent with the hypothesis that they were flying toward glacier landing areas. On the Rutor Glacier, several ski tracks were found, most likely left by aircraft take-offs and landings.
Investigation Status
The investigation is ongoing. Activities include acquisition of flight tracking data from the helicopter's Bolero system, radar tracks and air-ground communications from Italian ATS provider ENAV SpA, and coordination with the Italian Judicial Authority. Further steps involve recovery of data from the helicopter's VEMD or DECU, retrieval of electronic devices from pilots and passengers, removal of VHF radios for analysis, and forensic reports following autopsies.