France – Bonvillard (Savoie)
A helicopter of the French Air Service crashed Tuesday 08 December around 19:00 (CET)
An Airbus EC135 of the private company Service aérien français (SAF) crashed at around 7 pm with four of its employees and two rescuers from the Savoie detachment of the CRS Alpes in the municipality of Bonvillard, about fifteen kilometres south-west of Albertville, in a snowy area.
« The balance sheet is heavy » – Pascal Bolot prefect of Savoie
Six people were on board: the head of the SRC Alps and his colleague, a pilot, a pilot instructor, a winch operator and a winch instructor from the SAF Group.
The alarm was sounded at around 19.10 hrs. The prefecture announced that the pilot was found alive but in a state of absolute emergency at around 9.15 pm.
« Near the pilot, there was the crashed helicopter and inside, the other people who were on board and who had died ».
« The driver who is in absolute emergency is being evacuated in particularly difficult conditions » Pascal Bolot prefect of Savoie
Thanks to the dedication of the rescue personnel, despite the difficult conditions still prevailing, the pilot was able to be airlifted in a military helicopter and then transported by land to Grenoble University Hospital. Once at the hospital, he was immediately placed in intensive care.
Emmanuel Macron – President Français on Twitter
« To save lives, they take all the risks. This evening in Savoie, 3 members of the French Air Rescue and 2 CRS Alpes died in a helicopter crash. One person, injured, is fighting for his life. The Nation’s support to the families, friends and colleagues of these French heroes. »
Pour sauver des vies, ils prennent tous les risques. Ce soir en Savoie, 3 membres du Secours aérien français et 2 CRS Alpes ont succombé à un crash d’hélicoptère. Une personne, blessée, se bat pour vivre. Soutien de la Nation aux familles, amis et collègues de ces héros français.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 8, 2020
What we know
Judiciary – an investigation has been opened
The Albertville public prosecutor’s office decided to open an investigation and entrusted the investigations to the research section of the air transport gendarmerie (SRTA) in co-referral with the Chambéry research section, the Savoie gendarmerie, the high-mountain gendarmerie platoon (PGHM) of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, as well as the gendarmerie’s criminal research institute (IRCGN).
BEA – the research and analysis office is also opening a survey
@AirbusHeli
#EC135 registered F-HJAF operated by #SAF occurred on 08/12/20 on the commune of #Bonvillard / 5 investigators went on site as part of the safety investigation opened by
@BEA_Aero
⚠️ Accident de l’@AirbusHeli #EC135 immatriculé F-HJAF exploité par #SAF survenu le 08/12/20 sur la commune de #Bonvillard / 5 enquêteurs se rendent sur place dans le cadre de l'enquête de sécurité ouverte par @BEA_Aero
— BEA ✈️ 🚁🛩 🇫🇷 (@BEA_Aero) December 9, 2020
From Brussels to the Sky expresses its most sincere condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.
The aviation family is touched, bereaved and supports you.
Also, good recovery and courage to the pilot.
Marouane – FBttS