Shocking moment: Helicopter bursts into flames after falling towards rocks at French lighthouse

Shocking Moment: Helicopter bursts into flames after suddenly plunging towards rocks… and pilot is somehow able to miraculously power up at French lighthouse and avoid catastrophe

  • The helicopter makes a very close approach to the lighthouse off France’s westernmost point
  • The lighthouse at Vielle, half a mile off Pointe du Raz in the Finistère region
  • The pilot managed to regain control of the helicopter just as death became apparent
  • A lighthouse worker was injured, but the pilot escaped unharmed

A helicopter pilot died off the French coast on Wednesday after suddenly crashing into flames towards a rocky outcrop while approaching a lighthouse.

The helicopter was flying towards the Vielle lighthouse, which is being renovated, half a mile off France’s westernmost point, Pointe du Raz, in the Finistère region.

Video of the moment shows a crystal clear day with the helicopter gleaming in the sun as it approaches the stately building to deliver and remove equipment.

There appears to be an unexpected release from the front of the chopper, and it suddenly tumbles wildly into a heart-stopping 90-degree angle before diving.

It loses altitude catastrophically as the rocks approach, but the pilot manages to bring it back to level and avoid an immediate crash.

A plume of smoke erupts from the rotors and floods the ledge, but by this time the helicopter is gaining altitude and appears to be under control again.

The helicopter flew half a mile from France's westernmost point, Pointe du Raz, in the Finistère region, towards the Vielle lighthouse, which is currently undergoing renovation

The helicopter flew half a mile from France’s westernmost point, Pointe du Raz, in the Finistère region, towards the Vielle lighthouse, which is currently undergoing renovation

There appears to be an unexpected release from the front of the chopper, and it suddenly tumbles wildly into a heart-stopping 90-degree angle before diving

There appears to be an unexpected release from the front of the chopper, and it suddenly tumbles wildly into a heart-stopping 90-degree angle before diving

It loses altitude catastrophically as the rocks approach, but the pilot manages to bring it back to level and avoid an immediate crash

It loses altitude catastrophically as the rocks approach, but the pilot manages to bring it back to level and avoid an immediate crash

A plume of smoke erupts from the rotors and floods the ledge, but by this time the helicopter is gaining altitude and appears to be under control again

A plume of smoke erupts from the rotors and floods the ledge, but by this time the helicopter is gaining altitude and appears to be under control again

The float on the right landing gear inflates, but at this point the proximity to the sea recedes.

The pilot was badly concussed but unharmed, while a lighthouse worker working on maintenance was hit by a crate, France Bleu reports.

He was taken to the Cavale Blanche hospital in Brest and discharged on Thursday afternoon.

The cause of the sudden near-death malfunction isn’t known, with social media users speculating that the helicopter may have encountered a vine shear, described as a sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance that caused drag the helicopter’s nose could tilt down.

Others speculated that the helicopter was carrying equipment on a cable and the tail snapped, causing the tail of the helicopter to suddenly rise.

Either way, they attributed the aversion to a fatal accident to the pilot’s skill and quick reflexes.

Mont Blanc Hélicoptères Bretagne, which operates the helicopter, has launched an investigation, while the Brest BGTA, the Air Transport Gendarmerie Brigade, has launched a judicial inquiry.

Hervé Berville, Secretary of State for the Sea, also indicated the opening of an administrative inquiry.