What happened
On October 11, 2007, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter was conducting aerial filming operations on the Tegernsee in Germany. The mission involved capturing footage of a canoe carrying three individuals—dressed as cowboys and Indians—paddling on the water. The helicopter crew included a pilot, a director, a cameraman, and two camera assistants.
During the filming, the pilot performed several low-altitude passes around the canoe, descending from 3-0 meters to approximately 10-30 meters. As the helicopter flew parallel to the vessel, the rotor downwash created significant wind speeds, estimated at approximately 30 km/h. This downwash caused the occupants of the canoe to lose their headgear and cease paddling to brace themselves. As the helicopter passed, the canoe, which was a flat-bottomed model, became unstable and tipped to its side. Two occupants attempted to hold onto the gunwale, which contributed to the vessel overturning. The occupants were thrown into the 11.5°C water. Despite rescue attempts by the crew and local boats, one person drowned.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the flight dynamics, the stability of the vessel, and the safety protocols in place during the production. Investigators reviewed film footage from the accident, analyzed the meteorological conditions, and reviewed the pilot's experience and the aircraft's operational state. The investigation also looked into the lack of safety equipment on the canoe and the effectiveness of the communication between the helicopter and the watercraft.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the capsize, including the inherent instability of the flat-bottomed canoe, significant wave action, and the angle of the boat relative to the waves. The investigation highlighted that the rotor downwash distracted the occupants and caused them to stop paddling, leaving the vessel vulnerable. Furthermore, the pilot was operating near the maximum takeoff mass, which required maintaining a higher airspeed to ensure sufficient lift, potentially affecting the flight path and proximity to the vessel.
Crucially, the fatality was attributed to inadequate safety precautions. The occupants were not wearing life jackets or thermal protection, and no rescue equipment was readily available on the canoe or the shore to mitigate the effects of a capsize.