What happened
On August 1, 2003, an AS 350-B2 helicopter, registration ZS-RHA, was conducting a geographical survey mission near Quarzazate, Morocco. The flight, which involved collecting soil samples, began with an initial technical concern when an engine chip warning light illuminated. The pilot performed a landing to inspect the magnetic plug, where a tiny particle was discovered and removed. Following this inspection, the crew resumed their sampling operations.
During the flight through mountainous terrain, the aircraft encountered significant wind conditions. Despite the weather, the pilot proceeded with the mission as it was the final day of the contract. While traversing a hill, a loud bang occurred, triggering several warning lights and a low rotor RPM audio alert. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an area surrounded by rocks. Upon impact, the wreckage caught fire. One passenger, who sustained minor injuries, managed to drag the pilot from the burning aircraft. The survivors used a functional satellite phone to call for help.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident involved authorities from the Moroccan Direction de l'Aviation Civile (DAC). While the sequence of events was documented, investigators were unable to recover specific physical evidence or documents from the site to further analyze the mechanical failure.