2009 AS 350 B3 sling-load accident at Montferrier (F-GVCE)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On 27 May 2009, an AS 350 B3 helicopter, registered F-GVCE, was involved in an accident at Montferrier (09), France. The aircraft was operated by Hélicoptères de France and owned by Société Procrédit Probail SA. The flight was a sling-load transport operation. The pilot departed from the Préchac heliport at 08:20 UTC for a two-day work assignment in the Pyrenees, which included refueling high-altitude refuges and removing pylons from a former mining cable car. ## Sequence of Events Around 16:30 UTC, the pilot was in a hover at a heading of 220° over a pylon section estimated to weigh between 700 and 1,000 kg. A ground operator attached the sling hook to the load and radioed the pilot to lift. As the sling tensioned, the hook jammed in the cable surrounding the load and then released. The helicopter began to rotate rapidly to the left. The pilot attempted to regain control using the right rudder and reducing collective pitch, but the helicopter struck trees and crashed on its back near the load. ## Aircraft and Pilot Information The helicopter, an AS 350 B3 (serial number 3227), was powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B engine. It had 4,632 hours of use as of 20 May 2009. The pilot was a 46-year-old male with 10,392 total flight hours, including 4,219 hours in lifting operations and 3,431 hours on type. He held a valid Class 1 medical certificate and was experienced in the specific operations being conducted. ## Site and Wreckage The accident occurred in the Bois de Montminier, near the former talc mine of Montferrier, at an altitude of 4,950 feet. The site was a 20-meter diameter clearing on a 55% slope. Wreckage analysis showed the main rotor blades were severely damaged, with Starflex arms broken at 45°, indicating significant drag forces opposing rotor rotation. The tail boom was severed near the fuselage, and the anti-torque rotor (RAC) blades showed extensive vegetation contact. The sling and hook remained attached to both the helicopter and the load. ## Meteorological Conditions Météo France estimated anticyclonic conditions with winds from 300° at 6 to 8 knots, with instantaneous peaks of 14 to 16 knots. Visibility was over 10 kilometers, with 2 to 3/8 cumulus clouds based between 1,000 and 1,500 feet. The temperature was 12 to 14 °C, and the QNH was 1029 hPa. The pilot reported calm winds and no turbulence.