What happened
On November 29, 2025, a private Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration F-HEAT, departed from Krosno (EPKR) at 14:10 for a flight to Przeworsk. The flight included the pilot and two passengers. During the flight, the aircraft made a brief stop, during which one passenger disembarked. After restarting, the pilot notified Przeworsk Tower (TWR EPRZ) of the intention to continue the flight toward Przeworsk, staying south of the CTR.
At 14:52, air traffic controllers attempted to contact the pilot, but there was no response. Shortly thereafter, rescue teams reported a likely emergency landing south of Rzeszów. By 15:00, local authorities and fire services reported an accident involving a helicopter in a forested area near the village of Malawa. Upon arrival at the scene in Cierpisz at approximately 15:35, investigators discovered the wreckage of the helicopter and the bodies of two fatalities (the pilot and one passenger). The impact with the trees caused the destruction of the fuselage, main rotor blades, and the separation of the tail boom. A fuel tank ruptured during the collision, resulting in a post-crash fire.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation team conducted an examination of the wreckage and the accident site. Investigators secured the aircraft debris for further analysis and collected all relevant maintenance documentation, as well as the pilot's training and licensing records. A fuel sample was taken from a detached tank for laboratory testing. Additionally, witness statements were collected to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained catastrophic structural failure, including the loss of the tail boom and deformation of the tail rotor.
- A post-crash fire occurred due to the rupture of a fuel tank upon impact with the forest canopy.
- Meteorological conditions in the region were deteriorating; while a high-pressure system was present, a low-pressure trough from the Aegean Sea brought maritime polar air. This resulted in decreasing cloud bases and dropping visibility, with cloud bases dropping from 1000–2000 feet to as low as 160–330 feet during the period of the accident.