Date:	Friday 30 August 2024
Time:	11:32 UTC
Type:	Eurocopter AS 350B3+ Ecureuil
Owner/operator:	HTA Helicopters
Registration:	EC-LBV
MSN:	4781
Year of manufacture:	2009
Engine model:	Turbomeca Arriel 2B1
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 6
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	Douro River, near Samodães -   Portugal
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Fire fighting
Departure airport:	Armamar, Lamego
Destination airport:	Armamar, Lamego
Investigating agency:	GPIAAF
Confidence Rating:	Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities

Narrative:
A Eurocopter AS 350B3 Ecureuil (coded H16) crashed in the Douro River, near Samodães. The pilot suffered minor injuries and was rescued by a vessel. The five passengers all died.
The helicopter was participating in operations to combat the rural fire raging in Gestaçô, in Baião.
On the return flight to Armamar base, the aircraft began a steady descent, where it flew over the left bank (south) of the Douro River towards the city of Peso da Régua.

During the descent, according to the pilot's statements, he saw a medium-sized bird at the same altitude and on the helicopter's trajectory, which forced him to change course to the right, resuming the route thereafter.
The GPIAAF stated that from the data collected so far, it has not yet been possible to independently determine the point where the manoeuvre was executed.
Afterwards, at 11:32 while descending towards the river in a left-hand turn, the helicopter collided with the surface of the water at a speed of around 100 knots (185 km/h) for reasons to be determined.

https://www.tsf.pt/2622316605/helicoptero-de-combate-a-incendios-cai-no-douro-cinco-pessoas-seguiam-a-bordo-piloto-resgatado-com-vida/
https://www.publico.pt/2024/08/30/sociedade/noticia/helicoptero-despenhase-regiao-douro-lamego-2102373
https://www.dn.pt/4177721123/tres-corpos-de-militares-da-gnr-retirados-de-helicoptero-que-caiu-no-douro-ainda-ha-dois-desaparecidos/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/31/portugal-declares-day-of-mourning-after-four-die-in-helicopter-crash
https://bomdia.eu/correcao-gnr-confirma-morte-de-dois-militares-apos-acidente-com-helicoptero/
https://twitter.com/Jorg3/status/1829549774753898535
https://www.gpiaa.gov.pt/upload/membro.id/ficheiros/i007398.pdf (GPIAA Info Note)

Ex EC-IXK, F-WQDA

Photo taken on 23rd August 2021 @ Viseu airport (VSE/LPVZ. Photo Christian Laugier

#Update CCTV recording of the accident. Portuguese media also reported the pilot mentioned "control issues" before impact. He was the only survivor, the bodies of the five GNR troopers have been retrieved. https://t.co/o1is8ecx6O pic.twitter.com/F0dnxfyMuL

— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) September 1, 2024

A cauda do helicóptero de combate a incêndios que caiu no rio Douro foi localizada pelos mergulhadores e será retirada do leito do rio na terça-feira https://t.co/Jv4yhQAjii

— CNN Portugal (@cnnportugal) September 2, 2024

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
30-Aug-2024 13:27	gerard57	Added
30-Aug-2024 13:28	gerard57	Updated [Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 13:44	ASN	Updated [Time, Location, Source, Narrative, Category, ]
30-Aug-2024 14:53	RobertMB	Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Source, Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 15:12	gerard57	Updated [Total fatalities, Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 15:42	Aerossurance	Updated [Source, Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 16:12	ASN	Updated [Total fatalities, Source, Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 16:18	ASN	Updated [Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 16:43	Anon.	Updated [Registration, Cn, ]
30-Aug-2024 16:44	ASN	Updated [Operator, Narrative, ]
30-Aug-2024 16:52	ASN	Updated [Source, ]
30-Aug-2024 18:16	Alexsousa	Updated [Operator, Total fatalities, ]
30-Aug-2024 19:20	Christian Laugier	Updated [Country, Photo, ]
30-Aug-2024 19:28	Anon.	Updated [Country, ]
31-Aug-2024 09:15	RobertMB	Updated [Time, Total fatalities, Source, Narrative, ]
31-Aug-2024 12:23	gerard57	Updated [Total fatalities, Source, Narrative, ]
31-Aug-2024 17:19	Anon.	Updated [Total fatalities, Narrative, ]
01-Sep-2024 21:51	Aerossurance	Updated [Embed code, ]
02-Sep-2024 18:14	Aerossurance	Updated [Embed code, Narrative, ]
03-Sep-2024 19:15	Aerossurance	Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative, ]
05-Sep-2024 11:22	ASN	Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, Category, Accident report, ]