History of Flight
On 21 August 2015, at approximately 09:50 UTC, an Aérospatiale AS350 B3 Ecureuil helicopter, registration I-GBVD, operated by an aerial work company, crashed while engaged in forest firefighting operations. The helicopter had departed from the San Cosimo helipad shortly after 09:46 UTC with a Bambi Bucket model 2024 attached to the cargo hook. After collecting water from a designated tank along the route, the helicopter proceeded to the fire zone and released the water load.
During the water release, at coordinates 39°55'49.80"N 9°31'56.61"E, a loud bang was heard from the rear of the helicopter, followed by strong vibrations. Personnel from the regional forestry corps, who were observing from tens of meters away, reported seeing the bucket strike the tail rotor immediately after the water release. The helicopter then moved away from the ridge toward the valley, slowed down, entered a descending rotation, and impacted the ground near the municipal landfill of Arzana in the Orgiola Onniga area, approximately one kilometer from the water release point.
Injuries
The pilot sustained serious spinal injuries. The co-pilot remained uninjured.
Damage to the Aircraft
The helicopter was destroyed.
Other Damage
None.
Personnel Information
The 35-year-old Italian male pilot held a valid EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) with a type rating for the AS350 B3 valid until 31 July 2016. He had over 1,500 total flight hours on helicopters, including over 800 hours on the AS350 type and 845 hours in firefighting operations. He had successfully completed a proficiency check on 26 May 2015, which included use of the Bambi Bucket for firefighting missions. At the time of the accident, the pilot was employed by the operator under a fixed-term contract from 1 June 2015 to 31 October 2015.
Aircraft Information
The AS350 B3 is a French-manufactured single-engine helicopter with a three-blade main rotor and a two-blade tail rotor. The minimum crew is one pilot. The accident helicopter, I-GBVD, was equipped with a Bambi Bucket firefighting bucket model 2024.
Meteorological Information
The source does not provide specific meteorological conditions during the accident.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was located in the Orgiola Onniga area, municipality of Arzana. Ground traces and debris distribution were consistent with a dynamic impact. The helicopter was completely destroyed.
Medical and Pathological Information
No medical or pathological information beyond injuries is provided in the source.
Survival Aspects
The co-pilot survived without injury; the pilot suffered serious injuries.
Tests and Research
No specific tests or research are mentioned beyond the investigation itself.
Organizational and Management Information
The source notes that the pilot had 24 hours and 44 minutes of flight on the AS350 B3 in the preceding 90 days, with a total of 7 flights in August prior to the accident. The operator was an aerial work company.
Additional Information
The firefighting bucket used was a Bambi Bucket model 2024. The helicopter was flying with the bucket attached to the cargo hook at the time of the accident.
Probable Cause
The accident is attributed to the collision between the firefighting bucket and the tail rotor during the water release phase, which caused the tail rotor to fail, leading to loss of control of the helicopter.