Aerospatiale AS 350B2 Ecureuil crash near La Vansa i Fórnols, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain

The Ecureuil left La Seu d'Urgell with another aircraft of the same operator to place concrete piles as bases for high-voltage pylons at La Vansa i Fórnols. The pilot flew alone, assisted on the ground by a company operative who hooked the piles to the line. The operative injured his hand on the hook and told the pilot, who decided to fly him back to the aerodrome for medical attention. He descended to a nearby road, picked him up without landing on the asphalt, and set course for the airfield. The helicopter struck a steep hillside and caught fire, killing both. There were indications the engine may have suffered a loss of power. The investigation concluded the accident occurred because an autorotation could not be prepared and executed after a sudden loss of engine power, given the low altitude at which the helicopter was flying. Final report A-021/2020.