According to a statement issued by the Valais police, an accident occurred today, Tuesday April 2, 2024, involving the AS 350B3 Ecureuil HB-ZCZ in service with Air Glaciers. Three people lost their lives and three were injured.
Around 09:25 AM, the helicopter, which was engaged in heli-skiing, after reaching the landing site on the summit of the Petit Combin, a 3,668-meters high mountain in Canton Valais, for reasons that will be determined by the investigators, slid down the north-facing slope.
Seven helicopters from Air-Glaciers, Air Zermatt and REGA rushed on the scene of the accident.
In addition to the pilot, the helicopter was occupied by a mountain guide and four of his clients. The injured were quickly transported by helicopter to several ospitals. Unfortunately, the other three occupants as mentioned lost their lives.
In a statement issued late in the afternoon, Air Glaciers said that the helicopter involved in the accident was one of its own. "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.
Under Article 98 of the Aviation Act, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is responsible for the prosecution of offences committed on board an aircraft.
In order to clarify the exact course of events and the cause of the accident, experts of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) have opened an inquiry.
The investigation is being conducted with the support of the public prosecutor's office and the Valais cantonal police.
In the days following the accident it was clarified that the victims were the pilot, the guide, and one of the customers. After reaching the top of the mountain, the helicopter slid down the steep slope.