History of the Flight
On 22 February 2021, around 14:40 LMT, the helicopter owner arrived at EPPY helipad with two passengers, where the pilot was waiting. The helicopter took off at approximately 15:00 for a flight to Sośnicowice, then to Zagwiździe. Around 23:00, the pilot checked weather at EPPY via CCTV, noted deteriorating conditions, and decided to take off quickly. After a 35-minute flight, around 23:58, the pilot began an approach. The first approach was aborted when a passenger spotted trees nearby. The pilot increased power, but during the second attempt, he turned on the landing light, losing visibility due to fog. The main rotor blades struck tall trees, causing the helicopter to hit the ground, overturn, and rest on its left side.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and the front-seat passenger were killed on the spot; they had not fastened their shoulder safety belts. Two passengers in the cabin were seriously injured. The helicopter was destroyed.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a 51-year-old male, held a Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter) (CPL(H)). He had limited experience flying the Bell 429, as noted in the report's contributing factors.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter was a Bell 429, registration SP-KKS, operated by a private company. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
Meteorological Information
The landing area was covered with patches of fog. The pilot turned on the landing light, which caused a loss of visibility due to the fog. The weather conditions were below VFR minima.
Flight Recorders
The investigation used data from the aircraft's flight recorders.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The main rotor blades collided with tall trees, then the helicopter struck the ground and overturned, coming to rest on its left side.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL) determined the cause of the accident as: 1) Pilot’s error consisting in an attempt to land without having terrain in sight. 2) Pilot’s loss of spatial orientation during approach after turning on the landing light in dense fog. Contributing factors included: continuation of flight despite weather below VFR minima, patches of radiation fog covering the landing area, and the pilot's limited experience with the Bell 429. No safety recommendations were proposed.