Robinson R22 accident near Tourrettes-Sur-Loup, Fr, December 9, 2010
On December 9, 2010 at about 7:55 am local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered GCBVL, was destroyed in an accident during enroute near Tourrettes-Sur-Loup. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 2010 · about 7:55 am local time
- Place
- Tourrettes-Sur-Loup, France
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- GCBVL · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 9, 2010, at 0755 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R22, United Kingdom registered G-CBVL, operated by Spiral Wing, Ltd., was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain under unknown circumstances near Tourrettes-sur-Loup, France. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Sospel, France. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the French government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the French government or the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses Zone Sud 200 rue de Paris Aêroport du Bourget 93350 Le Bourget Cedex France
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Sospel
- Destination: Avignon
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 am from LFMN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.