What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-02-12 involved an AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS 350 B3, registration HB-ZNH, at Meiringen, BE, CH.

Serious Incident: Near Collision Between F-5E Tiger II and AS 350 B3 Helicopter near Meiringen (HB-ZNH)

On February 12, 2015, an AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS 350 B3 (registration HB-ZNH) was involved in an aviation accident near Meiringen, BE, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The serious incident was due to the dangerous approach between a climbing fighter aircraft and a helicopter following the helicopter pilot's non-compliance with the assigned altitude. This summary draws on records from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST).

Sourcesthe Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST)Primary reportUpdated 1785639345Data API Editorial standards

On 12 February 2015, a Northrop F-5E Tiger II (callsign Tractr2) and an AS 350 B3 helicopter (HB-ZNH) experienced a dangerous approach 4 NM southeast of Meiringen military airfield. The cause was the helicopter pilot's non-compliance with assigned altitude; the fighter's lack of collision warning system was a systemic factor.

Incident Overview

On 12 February 2015, a serious incident involving a near collision occurred between a Northrop F-5E Tiger II aircraft, operated by the Swiss Air Force under the call sign Tractr2, and an AS 350 B3 helicopter, registration HB-ZNH, operated by Swiss Helicopter AG. The event took place 4 nautical miles southeast of the military airfield Meiringen (LSMM).

Aircraft and Operators

The F-5E Tiger II was a state-owned aircraft operated by the Swiss Air Force. The helicopter AS 350 B3 was registered HB-ZNH and operated by Swiss Helicopter AG. The investigation identified that the fighter aircraft was not equipped with a collision warning system, which played a systemic role in the incident.

Cause

According to the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), the serious incident was due to the dangerous approach between a climbing fighter aircraft and a helicopter following the helicopter pilot's non-compliance with the assigned altitude. Additionally, the fact that the fighter aircraft was not equipped with a collision warning system played a systemic role in the incident.

Additional Findings

Although not having an influence on the occurrence and course of the serious incident, the investigation identified a factor representing a safety risk: the conditional clearance issued by air traffic control left room for interpretation.

Probable cause

The serious incident was due to the dangerous approach between a climbing fighter aircraft and a helicopter following the helicopter pilot's non-compliance with the assigned altitude. The fact that the fighter aircraft was not equipped with a collision warning system played a systemic role in the incident.

2015-02-12: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS 350 B3 (HB-ZNH) — Meiringen, BE, CH