AS350 Went Down During A Blizzard

A helicopter with a French research crew on board has gone down in Antarctica fatally injuring all on board the aircraft.

AS350 File Image

The accident occurred during blizzard conditions last week in the eastern part of the continent. The international news service AFP reports that the AS350, which was attached to the French research vessel Astrolabe, was flying at about 30 feet agl and 20 knots when the accident occurred. It was originally hoped that the pilot had been able to execute an emergency landing in the poor weather, but a spokeswoman from the Australian Maritime Authority said no one had apparently survived the impact with terrain.

Weather in the region prevented the wreckage from being found for nearly a day after the emergency beacon on the aircraft was activated. Those on board have not been identified, but they were reportedly the pilot, a mechanic, and two others working at the Dumont d'Urville French Antarctic research base.

Hurricane-force are regularly reported at the base, which is near the magnetic south pole.

FMI: www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/stations/dumont.shtml