A DHC-6-400 Twin Otter has smashed into a parked helicopter on the French speaking luxury island of Saint-Barth, as captured by dramatic video footage.
The aircraft, operated by Air Antilles, came into land on Runway 28 at Saint Barthelemy Airport (SBH) on Thursday, August 24, 2023, and upon landing it veered off the runway, striking a helicopter.
The out-of-control aircraft, registered F-OMYS, first struck the helicopter with its left wing and then with the side of its fuselage.
The footage shows debris erupting into the air and the rotor of the helicopter buckling under the impact of the Twin Otter.
Air Antilles Flight 3S722 was carrying six passengers and two crew members. The helicopter was unoccupied.
The Fire and Rescue Service on Saint-Barth attended, along with other emergency services.
According to RCI, one female passenger suffered from minor injuries, but everyone else aboard the aircraft were unharmed.
Air transport investigators are understood to be attending the scene on Friday, August 25, 2023, to gather evidence about the cause of the incident.
Local media has speculated that one of the Twin Otter’s wheels may have jammed.
A statement from Caire, the parent company of Air Antilles, states (here translated from French): “The incident occurred at 11:42 am. on flight 3S722 from Pointe-à-Pitre to Saint-Barth. The aircraft is a Twin DHC6 registered F-OMYS. At this stage, according to the captain, there are no injuries to be declared. 6 passengers and 2 crew members were on board this flight. During landing our plane struck a helicopter which was parked.”
