What happened
On June 2, 2022, at approximately 16:00 local time, an Airbus Helicopters H125 (registration HB-ZPA) was conducting aerial work near Matt, Switzerland. The aircraft, operated by Heli-Linth AG, was engaged in a sling load operation when the crew identified a structural issue with the equipment. Specifically, the frame of the helicopter's cargo hook was found to be ruptured.
The investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) conducted an inquiry into the incident. The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the cargo hook assembly and the circumstances surrounding the sling load maneuver. The aircraft sustained slight damage as a result of the event, though no contact with the ground or third parties was reported.
Findings
- The primary finding of the preliminary investigation is that the frame of the helicopter's cargo hook suffered a rupture during the execution of the lifting task.