What happened
On October 25, 2020, at approximately 14:30 UTC, a Robinson R4CT Raven II, registration I-OLLI, crashed in the vicinity of Breuil-Cervinia, Italy. The aircraft was performing a recreational flight, returning from a previous trip to Odolo. The flight involved the pilot and one passenger, who was carrying ski equipment.
Shortly after departing from a landing site near the Cime Bianche cableway station, the helicopter experienced a sudden loss of altitude. The pilot reported being struck by a strong gust of wind while attempting to transition from a hover to forward flight. During the maneuver, the pilot noted a low RPM warning light. The aircraft subsequently struck the terrain with significant force, resulting in the death of the passenger and serious injuries to the pilot. The wreckage was located on a steep slope at an altitude of approximately 2,775 meters.
The investigation
ANSV investigators examined the wreckage, meteorological data, and flight records from a Garmin Aera device installed on board. The investigation revealed that the aircraft's performance was severely limited due to the high altitude and the specific flight conditions. Analysis of the wreckage showed that the impact was largely symmetrical, with the tail boom and landing skids sustaining damage consistent with a high-energy vertical impact.
Meteorological analysis, including data from local webcams and METAR reports, confirmed that weather conditions were rapidly deteriorating. The area was experiencing orographic waves, which can create dangerous rotors and sudden downdraft currents. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot had not filed a flight plan or established radio contact with Air Traffic Services (ATS) for this flight leg.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control in flight due to a reduction in situational awareness caused by deteriorating visibility.
- The pilot's decision to continue the flight despite worsening weather—often referred to as "get-there-itis"—led to an involuntary transition from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) in an aircraft not certified for IFR.
- The aircraft was operating at a high altitude where engine performance is significantly reduced, making it difficult to maintain altitude when encountering downdrafts.
- The presence of mountain waves and potential rotors likely contributed to the sudden loss of altitude experienced by the pilot.