HB-ZNR Airbus Helicopters H125 Aviation Accident 2025-06-28
FATAL ACCIDENT (1) - Air-Glaciers SA owned Airbus Helicopters H125 (AS 350B3e), HB-ZNR, Oberaletsch Glacier, Bernese Alps, VA, Switzerland, June 28, 2025.
Interactive Map
Accident Information
| Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fat. | Aircraft Inj. | Ground Fat. | Ground Inj. | ASN Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46°24'29.52"N, 7°59'43.05"E | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Aviation Safety Network |
1Aircraft Information
| Type | Operator | Registration | Serial Number | Manufacture Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus Helicopters H125 (AS 350B3e) | Air-Glaciers SA | HB-ZNR | 7905 | 2014 |
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Videos
ASX Accident Report
On 28 June 2025 at approximately 12:15 local time, an Airbus Helicopters H125 (AS 350 B3e), registration HB-ZNR, operated by Air-Glaciers SA, crashed near the Oberaletsch Glacier in the Bernese Alps within the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The aircraft was engaged in a logistics support flight involving agricultural or material transport activities in the Fusshörner area near Naters, operating at high altitude over rugged alpine terrain. Onboard were three individuals: the pilot, a flight assistant, and one passenger. During a hover maneuver—possibly part of an unloading or low-level operational phase—the helicopter reportedly rolled to the side, struck the terrain, and came to rest on its flank. Eyewitnesses, including a hiker on the opposite ridge, described seeing the aircraft suddenly lose control a few meters above the ground and produce a significant smoke plume upon impact.
The passenger, a 51-year-old Swiss national, was pronounced dead at the scene, while one crewmember suffered minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital; the other was uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and subsequent fire. The crash occurred at roughly 2,500 meters elevation in a glaciated zone between the Großer Fusshorn and surrounding peaks. Emergency response included four rescue helicopters, regional fire and medical teams, and specialists from the cantonal police. According to early official statements, no external loads were being transported at the moment of the accident, and no immediate weather anomalies were reported that could explain the loss of stability.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST), with concurrent legal inquiries handled by the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office. Preliminary information points to a possible loss of control during hover at low altitude, but no definitive mechanical or procedural failure has been confirmed. Investigators are analyzing flight data, operational parameters, and witness video evidence to determine the sequence of events. The helicopter was manufactured in 2014, had a maximum takeoff mass of 2,250 kg, and was powered by a single Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine. It was registered and maintained under the oversight of the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation, with Air-Glaciers SA listed as both owner and operator.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Sources and References
- Swiss Helicopter History
- JetPhotos
- AirHistory.net
- Blick
- Police Kantonspolizei Wallis
- Kleine Zeitung
- Federal Office of Civil Aviation
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