The helicopter which crashed Sunday, March 7 in Touques (Calvados) with Olivier Dassault on board made an "
atypical takeoff
" according to a witness to the accident, we learned Monday from the prosecution.
Read also: The political class pays tribute to Olivier Dassault
The witness, a friend of Olivier Dassault who was on the private property where the tragedy occurred, "
tells us that the take-off maneuver is atypical in that it does not take off at an angle of 90 degrees.
», Explained to AFP Delphine Mienniel, public prosecutor of Lisieux.
MP LR Olivier Dassault, 69, and his 74-year-old pilot died in the accident.
The squirrel-like device "
came off at an angle of about 45 degrees."
Obviously (...) it is true that we do not take off the way it took off,
”added the magistrate.
“We
will have to clarify all that,
” she continued.
Investigators were still there on Monday but only a police vehicle was visible at the entrance to the property.
A blade of the device, which "
was not recent
", "
hit a tree,
" also said the prosecutor.
The take-off was authorized, according to the same source.
Autopsies are due to take place on Tuesday.
The prosecution had no immediate information concerning the level of alcohol in the pilot's blood.
The pilot "
transported Mr. Dassault regularly,
" explained Delphine Mienniel.
The deputy and administrator of Dassault Aviation, son of Serge Dassault and father of three children, "
used to take off from time to time from this property
", also indicated the magistrate.
The accidental track is always privileged, according to the prosecutor.
The drama took place on a hill in Touques where there are many vast properties.
The few residents of the neighborhood who agreed to answer AFP's questions all reported a strong "
explosion
".
“
It made a thud.
We were afraid for our little one.
It freaked us out
, ”said a local resident who lives almost opposite the scene of the tragedy.
He requested anonymity.
“
We heard the helicopter take off as usual.
Immediately after takeoff we heard a huge crash.
We didn't see much just a few fumes and that's it,
”added Adèle, 30, who lives in a subdivision behind the property hidden by the trees where the tragedy occurred.
