What happened
On July 16, 2010, an Eurocopter AS350 B3, registration HB-ZJO, was performing a commercial external load operation near Orselina, Switzerland. The mission involved transporting materials from the roof of the Madonna del Sasso pilgrimage church to a nearby parking area.
A flight assistant had prepared a 900 kg pallet containing 40 bundles of bricks for transport. As the pilot began to lift the load using a 50-meter longline, the pallet tilted significantly to one side. This movement caused the brick bundles to slide out of their original packaging. The shifting cargo struck a carpenter who was working on the roof. The impact forced the worker to slide four meters down the roof, resulting in a head-first fall from a height of 3.10 meters to the ground. The worker was transported to a hospital for neurological monitoring.
The investigation
Investigators examined the rigging methods used by the flight assistant and the training protocols of the operator, Heli-TV SA. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within its weight limits and that there were no mechanical failures or issues with the helicopter's downwash. The weather conditions were stable, with high temperatures but no significant wind or visibility issues. The inquiry also reviewed the flight assistant's training, noting that his techniques were learned internally through experienced colleagues rather than through standardized external courses.