What happened
On January 2, 2009, an Eurocopter EC135, registration F-HBMA, operated by Regourd Aviation, was performing a positioning flight from Issy-les-Moulineaux to Lyon-Bron. The pilot, flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), was initially cruising at 3,800 feet above a continuous cloud layer.
During the flight, the pilot contacted Seine Information to inquire about the weather at the destination. Upon learning that Lyon-Bron was experiencing overcast conditions with a ceiling of only 500 feet, the pilot decided to change the flight strategy. To maintain visual contact with the ground, the pilot opted to turn back and descend below the cloud layer. At approximately 12:49 UTC, the pilot ceased communication with Seine Information to continue the flight at a lower altitude. Shortly thereafter, at 12:59 UTC, near the commune of Molesmes, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and struck the ground in a field adjacent to a road and a wooded area. The pilot was killed in the crash, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA investigation examined the aircraft wreckage, the impact site, and the pilot's flight preparations. Investigators found that the engines were functioning at the time of impact, as evidenced by the torsional breaks in the drive shafts. The wreckage showed signs of a high-energy impact with a very steep nose-down attitude.
Meteorological data confirmed that the region was experiencing high humidity and significant stratus clouds, with a high risk of icing at lower altitudes. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's radio communications, which documented the decision-making process regarding the weather and the change in flight altitude. Additionally, the investigation examined the pilot's safety harness, noting a mechanical issue with the right shoulder strap buckle that prevented it from locking properly, though it could not be determined if the pilot was fully restrained at the moment of impact.