What happened
On October 2, 2014, an Airbus Helicopters EC130B4, registration HB-ZJC, departed Lausanne Blécherette, Switzerland, on a VFR flight bound for Montbéliard Courcelles, France. The flight was intended to transport six passengers to a professional meeting. Upon approaching the destination, the pilot contacted the Montbéliard airfield information service (AFIS), which reported fog and visibility of approximately one kilometer.
While searching for an opening in the cloud layer at an altitude of 2,300 feet, the pilot performed several 360-degree turns. After a passenger identified a potential gap in the clouds, the pilot initiated a steep descending turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered the cloud layer and struck the treetops of a hill. The helicopter continued on a straight path for approximately 130 meters before striking a building. The accident resulted in 5 fatalities (the pilot and four passengers) and 2 injuries.
The investigation
The BEA investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition, the meteorological environment, and the pilot's decision-making process. Technical analysis of the engine and flight control systems, including the VEMD and ECU, revealed no mechanical failures prior to the impact. The aircraft's mass at takeoff was approximately 60 kg above the maximum allowable takeoff weight.
Investigators also reviewed radar data, which confirmed the aircraft's flight path and the final descending turn. Meteorological data confirmed the presence of thick stratus clouds and heavy fog in the valleys. The investigation also looked into the operational context, noting that the flight was organized for a professional purpose and that the pilot had previously discussed alternative landing sites with passengers, though no concrete diversion plan was executed during the flight.