What happened
On December 22, 2001, an SA 316 B Alouette III, registration I-ELTO, was performing an external load operation near Stadomelli, in the municipality of Rocchetta di Vara. The mission involved transporting a 600 kg crate containing mobile telephony components via a 25-meter sling to a ground frame located near an antenna tower.
After successfully picking up the load, the pilot proceeded to the drop zone. As the aircraft approached the target, the antenna tower—which stood 30 meters high—was obscured from the pilot's view by the cockpit structure. The pilot relied on radio instructions from a ground technician to position the load. As ground personnel attempted to secure the crate, the forward momentum of the helicopter caused the load to shift approximately 5 to 6 meters forward. During this maneuver, the tail rotor blades struck one of the lightning rods mounted at the top of the antenna tower. The impact caused the tail rotor blades and hub to detach, leading to a total loss of control. The helicopter entered a helical descent and crashed approximately 70 to 80 meters from the tower, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and serious injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the flight history, the pilot's experience, the technical condition of the SA 316 B Alouette III, and the environmental conditions at the site. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records and analyzed the physical wreckage, including the severed tail rotor assembly and the broken sling rope. The inquiry also evaluated the ground operations, specifically the coordination between the pilot and the ground technician, and the adequacy of the pre-flight reconnaissance.