What happened
On January 14, 2008, a Hughes 269C helicopter was conducting a sightseeing flight near Erfurt, Germany. The pilot had previously completed a routine ferry flight from Parthenstein to a landing site near an automotive dealership without incident. After warming up the engine and performing standard pre-flight checks, the pilot departed into the wind at approximately 15:16 local time.
During the initial climb, while at an altitude of approximately 200 feet and a speed of 55 knots, the pilot noticed the aircraft beginning to sink. In an attempt to maintain altitude, the pilot increased engine power by adjusting the pitch lever until the manifold pressure reached the yellow band. At this moment, two distinct impacts were felt within the cabin. Following these shocks, the helicopter lost airspeed and began to descend rapidly. The pilot attempted to lower the pitch to regain forward speed, but subsequently had to pull the pitch back to reduce the rate of descent. Unable to maintain flight, the pilot initiated an autorotation.
The resulting emergency landing took place in a freshly plowed field. During the touchdown, the tail rotor and tail boom made contact with the ground. The helicopter then pitched forward, causing the skids to sink into the soft earth and resulting in the main rotor blades striking the ground. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the rotor head, rotor blades, airframe, and landing gear, but there were no injuries to the pilot or passenger.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the mechanical systems of the Hughes 269C. Investigators inspected the fuel system, ignition system, engine, exhaust system, and the entire drivetrain. No mechanical defects or malfunctions were identified in these components. The investigation also confirmed that the aircraft's center of gravity and takeoff weight were within permissible limits. The weather at the time of the accident was characterized by VFR conditions with visibility exceeding 10 km and temperatures of approximately 4°C.