What happened
On the evening of November 27, 2000, an Eurocopter AS 350 B2, registration F-ODYP, departed from the Nouméa-Magenta airfield for a flight to the Nakéty mines. The aircraft was carrying seven people: the pilot and six passengers, including high-ranking executives from the Société Minière du Sud Pacifique (SMSP).
The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) without a filed flight plan. During the flight, the pilot contacted the Noumé and La Tontouta air traffic control centers. At approximately 21:31 UTC, the controller informed the pilot that a military Fennec helicopter was unable to cross the mountain range due to weather conditions. The pilot of F-ODYP indicated they would attempt to navigate through the Zoulou waypoint and would report back if the path remained clear.
At 21:43 UTC, the pilot reported finding a gap in the terrain to proceed through Zoulou but noted they would monitor the situation. This was the final radio contact. When the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination and did not respond to subsequent radio attempts, emergency procedures were initiated. The wreckage was discovered the following morning in a forested, mountainous area near Chefao.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, analyzed radio and telephone communications, and reviewed meteorological data. Investigators also interviewed witnesses, including individuals who observed the aircraft flying over the ridgeline. Technical examinations of the engine, transmission, and airframe were conducted, alongside an analysis of the aircraft's weight and balance and the fuel and oil samples taken from the site.