BEA - Office of Investigations and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety of the French Republic

01/26/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2023 04:10

Accident to the Airbus AS350 registered F-OMAB on 14/12/2022 at Ilet à Malheur

BEA - France

Accident to the Airbus AS350 registered F-OMAB on 14/12/2022 at Ilet à Malheur

Investigation progression In progress
Progress: 50%

Vol de transport de charge cirque de Mafate (974).

En arrivant sur la zone de dépose de la charge, le pilote entame la descente. La charge, qui tourne sur elle même, heurte une des personnes présentes pour réceptionner la charge.

The translation below is for information only:

Sling load operation at Cirque de Mafate (La Réunion).

On arrival at the dropzone, the pilot initiated the descent. The load, which was spinning, hit one of the persons who were there to receive the load.

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Strike of person by load during sling load operation

General information
Local date 14/12/2022
Responsible entity France - BEA
Scope of Investigation Full (Annex 13) type investigation
State or area of occurrence Africa - Réunion
Location Ilet à Malheur
Human consequences Serious
Number of serious injuries 1
Aircraft consequences None
Occurrence class Accident
Occurence category EXTL: External load related occurrences
File number BEA2023-0022
Flight Information
Aircraft category Rotorcraft - Helicopter - Small/light Helicopter - Small Helicopter
Operator France - Mafate Hélicoptères
Manufacturer / Model AEROSPATIALE - AS350
Aircraft Registration F-OMAB
State of registry France
Last departure point
Planned destination
Flight phase Manoeuvring
Serial number 7150
Operator Type AG Sales/rental/service
Operation Type Specialised Operations (Aerial Work) - Construction/Sling load

BEA is the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation. The sole objective of the investigation is to improve air safety. It is intended neither to apportion blame nor to assess responsiblity.