An Air Glaciers helicopter carrying six people crashed Tuesday morning against the north face of Petit-Combin (VS). Three of its occupants were killed in the accident and the other three injured.
The aircraft, type B3, was damaged around 9:25 a.m. at the Petit Combin mountain landing site during a heliski drop-off, the Valais cantonal police said in a press release. Having reached the summit part of the mountain culminating at 3668 meters above sea level, the aircraft slid down the northern slope for a reason that the investigation will have to determine.
The helicopter was carrying six people: the pilot, a mountain guide and his four clients. Two injured people were quickly treated before being airlifted to Sion hospital. A third person was subsequently also rescued.
>> Details from Forum: Helicopter crash in Valais: what happened? / Forum / 2 min. / today at 6:00 p.m.
The three other occupants of the device were found lifeless, the police said, without giving details of the victims and the injured. Seven helicopters from Air-Glaciers, Air Zermatt and REGA converged on the site for rescue operations.
In a press release published late in the afternoon, Air Glaciers clarified that the damaged helicopter was one of its aircraft. “We are deeply saddened and indescribably touched by this event. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims,” the company wrote.
>> Listen to the interview with Pascal Gaspoz in Forum: Helicopter crash in Valais: interview with Pascal Gaspoz / Forum / 2 min. / today at 6:00 p.m.
Two open investigations
The Swiss Safety Investigation Service (SESE) has opened a safety investigation to determine the causes of the accident. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPC), responsible for aviation accidents, is responsible for the criminal investigation in collaboration with the Federal Police Office (fedpol) and the Valais cantonal police.
Two helicopter accidents have already occurred this year in Valais. In mid-February, a single pilot on board crashed in the Niouc region, in the Anniviers valley, and was injured. In mid-March, a helicopter crashed on a training ground in the town of Vétroz. One of the two occupants was slightly injured.
ats/vkiss