Switzerland’s SESE accident investigation agency is probing the crash of an Airbus AS350B3 helicopter on Tuesday that killed three of the six people on board. The rotorcraft crashed at around 9:25 a.m. local time while in the process of disembarking skiers on the Petit Combin Mountain in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 12,000 feet.
According to a statement by the police force of Valais canton, a pilot, a mountain guide, and four skiers were on board. Swiss-based Air Glaciers confirmed it was the operator of the aircraft. It has 12 AS350s and H125s in its fleet, as well as four EC135s and H145s.
The three survivors were airlifted to a hospital in Sion, with seven rescue helicopters operated by Air Zermatt and Rega having been dispatched to the scene. None of those involved in the accident have been identified.
A police report indicated that the helicopter slid down the northern slope of the mountain for reasons that are now being investigated. The accident occurred at a designated landing site for ski trips.