Fatal Crash of a Kit-Built Helicopter at Lahr, Germany

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On February 18, 2011, a kit-built helicopter, identified by the German registration D-HEDV, was destroyed in a crash at Lahr, Germany. The aircraft was a Canadian Home Rotors (CHR) Safari 400, operated by a private owner. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was fatally injured in the accident. The flight was a personal trip that originated at the time of the crash, and visual meteorological conditions were present. ## Sequence of Events and Investigation During the takeoff phase, one of the tail rotor blades separated from the tail rotor spindle. This mechanical failure caused the helicopter to lose control, leading to a departure from controlled flight and a subsequent impact with the runway. The investigation into the accident was conducted under the jurisdiction and control of the German government. The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation (BFU) is the authority responsible for the inquiry, and the report contains only information released by or obtained from the BFU.