Swan Aviation Sikorsky S-76 crash
| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | March 10, 2017 |
| Summary | Fog, low cloud base. |
| Site |
Büyükçekmece, Istanbul 41°01′34″N 28°37′15″E / 41.02611°N 28.62083°ECoordinates: 41°01′34″N 28°37′15″E / 41.02611°N 28.62083°E |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 7 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Aircraft type | Sikorsky S-76C++ |
| Operator | Swan Aviation |
| Registration | TC-HEZ |
| Flight origin | Istanbul Atatürk Airport |
| Destination | Bozüyük, Bilecik |
The Swan Aviation Sikorsky S-76 crash occurred on March 10, 2017, when a Turkish private Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter carrying businessmen crashed in Istanbul, killing all 7 people on board.[1][2]
Background
The helicopter operated by Swan Aviation for the private use of Eczacıbaşı Holding, was scheduled to fly from Istanbul to Bozüyük branch of the company, located in the northwestern Turkish province of Bilecik.
The helicopter was carrying two pilots, one Turkish businessman of Eczacibasi group and four Russian guests of the company for a meeting at Bozuyuk facilities scheduled at noon.[2]
The aircraft was an Sikorsky S-76C++, with tail number TC-HEZ, manufactured on 2008.[3]
Crash
The helicopter had departed Istanbul-Atatürk Airport at 11:15 local time in heavy fog and poor visibility conditions. Only six minutes after the takeoff, it hit the Endem TV Tower and crashed onto the nearby highway State Road D100. All seven people on board were killed.[3]
Investigation
Directorate General of Civil Aviation informed the press that investigation is still ongoing, but poor visibility conditions and the heavy fog was probably the main cause of the accident. Although, it was not clear that why the pilots were flying near the tower since it is clearly stated on maps as "no-fly" zone and most experienced pilots were already aware of the height and location of the tower.[4]