Eurocopter AS350 crash near Barcelona, Spain

On June 22, 2009 a Eurocopter AS350B3, Spanish registration EC-IOJ was destroyed while filling the fire attack system with water during a fire extinguishing operation. The pilot and passenger both were killed. According to several witness statements, the helicopter had completed the refill operation and began a climb to continue the mission when the water tank unloaded at the same time the cable link to the tank rebounded and coiled into the main rotor system. The helicopter immediately began an emergency decent and impacted the terrain. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil of Spain (CIAIAC). Any further information may be obtained from: Ministerio de Fomento Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil C/ Fruela, 6, Primera Planta 28011 Madrid, Spain