Accident to the helicopter Airbus EC155 F-HEGT operated by Héli Sécurité and the airplane Nord 1203 F-AYVV on 08/02/2024 at Cozy

The pilots of both aircraft were on a head-on flight path, with a high relative speed of around 280 kt (520 km/h or 145 m/s) at the same flight altitude, flying through Albertville valley in uncontrolled airspace.

Although they were monitoring the same radio frequency, the pilots were not aware of the other aircraft on the opposing route.

The helicopter pilot visually detected the aeroplane just before the collision and initiated an emergency evasive manoeuvre, by turning right and descending. The pilot of the aeroplane only saw the helicopter during the evasive manoeuvre, and did not have time to react to modify his flight path.

The helicopter pilot's evasive manoeuvre prevented a head-on collision, but the separation between the two aircraft as they passed was not sufficient to prevent contact between the helicopter's main rotor blades and the aeroplane.

Both aircraft were damaged, but remained controllable, and the pilots managed to land, in a field for the helicopter and at Albertville aerodrome for the plane.