McDonnell Douglas MD-902 crash near Fretin, Belgium

On August 2, 2008, at 0835 coordinated universal time (1035 central European Summer Time), a McDonnell Douglas MD-902, Belgium registered OO-NHL, operated by Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen, experienced a separation of the right hand sliding door while in flight near Fretin, France. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot, doctor, and nurse were not injured. The flight originated from Lille Hospital, Lille, France, and was en route to Fourmies, France. The French investigators reported that while in cruise flight, the pilot experienced a "heavy/violent yaw to the right followed by a descent of the helicopter." At the same time, the flight nurse reported to the pilot that the right side door had separated. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the French government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the French government or Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses Zone Sud 200 rue de Paris Aêroport du Bourget 93350 Le Bourget Cedex France