What happened
On June 28, 2025, a Robinson R44 Raven II, registration SP-MMO, was performing flights near Klecza Dolna, Poland. The pilot had flown the aircraft from Barwałd to a cleared meadow in the center of the village to conduct sightseeing flights with passengers.
During the approach to land on the meadow, the helicopter's main rotor struck an overhead power line. The impact severed a 15 kV conductor, which fell to the ground and ignited the grass. The pilot managed to maintain control of the aircraft despite the disturbance and landed immediately on the meadow to disembark the three passengers. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers. Following the strike, the pilot decided to fly the damaged aircraft back to Barwałd, an action that later resulted in the discovery of severe damage to the rotor blades.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the pilot's flight planning, the aircraft's technical condition, and the circumstances of the approach. The investigation utilized video footage recorded by a witness and a passenger, which confirmed the sequence of the collision. Investigators also analyzed solar position data to evaluate the pilot's claim that sun glare had blinded him during the approach; the analysis concluded that the sun was positioned in a way that actually illuminated the obstacle.
Findings
- The pilot selected an unverified and unsecured landing site that was located too close to an overhead power line.
- The pilot failed to sufficiently reduce airspeed during the approach, leading to a collision while attempting a transition to a hover.
- The pilot's decision to fly the aircraft after the strike was a significant factor, as subsequent inspections by the maintenance organization confirmed the aircraft had a serious defect that threatened flight safety.
- The pilot's situational awareness was lost during the approach in the complex terrain.
- The landing site was not prepared or checked for obstacles prior to the operation.