Accident to an Aerospatiale AS350 registered CC-AAL and operated by Medic Air SpA occured on 02/29/16 at Santiago [investigation led by DPA / Chili]
Perte de contrôle en lacet en vol stationnaire lors d'un écopage au-dessus d'un réservoir, collision avec la surface de l'eau
Données préliminaires issues de la notification des autorités du Chili :
During a fire fighting aerial work, the pilot was charging water using a Bambi Bucket, approximately at 1.30 meters from the reservoir where the occurrence happened. According to his statements, while doing the referred manoeuver, the helicopter started to turn right, which he could not control using left pedal. He decided to perform a ditching into the reservoir, and once in water he stopped the engine and the rotor, leaving the aircraft. The pilot abandoned the aircraft with no injuries, and the helicopter sank. The pilot stated that the helicopter did not show any warning nor evidence of failure prior to the occurrence. Preliminary actions are undergoing, and the helicopter is currently being recovered.