What happened
On 30 October 2020, an Airbus AS350-B3e, registration F-HLXO, was performing external load sling operations near Thiézac, France. The mission involved transporting heavy tanks and bags using a 10-meter metal cable and a 2-meter textile extender.
During the initial phase of the mission, the pilot delivered a load to a set-down zone. Upon arrival, a ground agent found that the textile sling straps were too short, keeping the hook under tension and preventing it from being opened. To resolve the issue, the crew decided to uncouple the textile sling from the metal sling. This action removed the 15 kg ballast that had been attached to the end of the metal cable.
As the pilot returned to the loading zone, the aircraft descended and gained speed. While flying at approximately 87 knots—exceeding the recommended safety speed (Vy) for unballasted slings—the metal sling became wrapped around the tail boom and the tail rotor. The pilot reported hearing a grating sound and losing effective pedal control, but was able to perform an emergency landing near the take-off zone.
The investigation
The BEA examined flight data from the Helisafe and Vision 1000 computers, which allowed investigators to synchronize cockpit audio with flight parameters. This confirmed the exact moment the sling interfered with the tail rotor. Because the aircraft was removed from the site by the operator before the BEA arrived, the investigation relied on photographs to assess the damage.
Physical evidence showed that the metal sling had wrapped around the tail rotor blades, the tail gearbox, the horizontal stabilizer, and the tail fin. The investigation also reviewed the experience of the pilot, who had over 1,300 flight hours, and the procedures used by the ground personnel.