Today, Tuesday 4 July 2023, at around 07:45, a helicopter accident occurred in the area of the Colle Gnifetti, on the Italian-Swiss border at an altitude of 4,500 metres, not far from the Capanna Margherita, Europe's highest alpine refuge.
On board the AS 350B3e Ecureuil in service with Air Zermatt were five occupants: the pilot, a flight attendant and three glaciologists. According to a note issued by the company, the helicopter was victim of a vortex ring state (VRS) during the landing phase.
VRS is a dangerous aerodynamic condition that may arise in helicopter flight, when a vortex ring system engulfs the rotor, causing severe loss of lift. The vortex ring state (VRS) is a dangerous aerodynamic condition that may arise in helicopter flight, when a vortex ring system engulfs the rotor, causing severe loss of lift.
The Ecureuil then allegedly hit the ground and rolled-over on its side. None of the occupants were fortunately injured.
Experts of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) have opened an inquiry.