Eurocopter EC 120B Crash at Roßfeld Glider Airfield

Incident Overview and Casualties On 9 September 2012, a Eurocopter EC 120B helicopter crashed at the Roßfeld Glider Airfield (Segelfluggelände Roßfeld) in Germany. The accident occurred during a biennial airshow event. The helicopter was severely damaged, and the pilot and passenger aboard were lightly injured. Tragically, one spectator was killed, two were seriously injured, and one was lightly injured by debris. A nearby vehicle was also damaged. ## Flight Sequence and Cause Video footage showed the helicopter taking off from a marked parking area, hovering at approximately 50 cm altitude, and drifting laterally to the right. The left skid made initial ground contact, causing the aircraft to tip and roll over onto its right side. The entire sequence from takeoff to the crash took about 21 seconds. The pilot reported no technical issues or adverse weather conditions. ## Aircraft and Personnel The aircraft was a 2001 Eurocopter EC 120B, powered by a Turbomeca Arrius 2F engine. The 79-year-old pilot held a private pilot license for helicopters and had approximately 763 hours of experience. The 57-year-old passenger also held a helicopter license and regularly participated in demonstrations. ## Investigation Findings The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) examined the wreckage and the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD). The VEMD recorded engine overspeeds and discrepancies following the initial ground contact, which the manufacturer attributed to the broken main drive shaft. No pre-existing faults were found. The crash site was located at the northern edge of runway 07, near the Olgafelsen. The fatal spectator was struck by small balancing weights from the main rotor blades, which were found scattered in the area.