What happened
On the night of September 8, 2005, an Eurocopter AS 365 N3 Dauphin, registered F-GYPH, was performing a maritime transfer mission near Cap d'Antifer. The crew, consisting of the pilot and a maritime pilot acting as a passenger, was tasked with retrieving a pilot from the Greek tanker *Arion*.
After departing from Le Havre, the helicopter approached the vessel. During the approach, the maritime pilot on the tanker notified the crew that the ship had entered a bank of fog. While the helicopter was maneuvering near the vessel, the pilot executed a left turn at an altitude of approximately 100 feet. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck the surface of the water with high energy. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and left the passenger missing.
The investigation
The BEA investigation reconstructed the flight using radar tracks and radio communications. The investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, the meteorological environment, and the operational procedures of the Havre-Fécamp Pilotage Station.
Investigators analyzed the aircraft's flight control systems, including the automatic flight control system (AFCS) and the flight director. The investigation also reviewed the company's Particular Activities Manual (MAP), which mandated that all approaches to vessels must be conducted using instruments. Furthermore, the investigators looked into the organizational structure of the pilotage service, specifically the lack of a clear hierarchy and the absence of effective oversight regarding flight procedures.