What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2013-02-20 involved a Selbstbau Elisport CH-7 Kompress, at nahe Inzell, am Kienberg, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The helicopter overturned while landing on a snow-covered surface. The pilot's severe spinal injuries were exacerbated by the lack of appropriate shoulder harnesses and head restraints in the cockpit.

Helicopter overturns during landing in the Chiemgau Alps

A self-built Elisport CH-7 Kompress overturned while landing on snow-covered terrain near Inzell, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot.

What happened

On February 20, 2013, a pilot was conducting a flight from a private landing site in Austria toward Grabenstätt, Germany, intended as a rendezvous with another pilot flying an identical aircraft. The two pilots had planned a joint sightseeing flight through the Chiemgau Alps. While flying south between the Rauschberg and Kienberg mountains, the pilot of the second aircraft lost radio contact with the first. Upon turning back to search, the second pilot discovered the Elisport CH-7 Kompress lying on its side in deep snow near a mountain hut southwest of the Kienberg summit.

The second pilot landed immediately and found the pilot of the first aircraft unresponsive in the cabin. After attempting resuscitation and moving the pilot to his own aircraft to seek help, a rescue helicopter was eventually able to reach the site. The pilot was recovered approximately one hour after the accident, suffering from severe injuries and hypother/mia.

The investigation

The BFU investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the landing and the condition of the aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft, a self-built model, was registered in Switzerland but operated in Austria. Technical examinations of the engine's Turbo Control Unit (TCU) and the Rotax FlyDat monitoring instrument showed no evidence of engine malfunction or power loss. The investigation also examined the cockpit structure and safety equipment.

Investigators found that the aircraft's rotor mast and main gearbox had been torn from the airframe, and a rotor blade had detached. However, the damage was consistent with the aircraft tipping over onto its side during or after a controlled landing. The investigation also noted that while the aircraft was documented as having shoulder harnesses, the physical cockpit lacked the necessary attachment points, and the existing belts were only lap belts.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was the overturning of the helicopter during a landing on snow-covered ground.
The aircraft was only equipped with lap belts; the lack of a shoulder harness and headrest likely contributed to the severity of the pilot's spinal injuries when the aircraft impacted the snow.
The specific reason for the landing at this location, outside of an approved landing site, could not be determined.
While weather conditions were generally suitable for VFR flight, the presence of deep, powdery snow created significant "whiteout" risks during the landing phase.
No technical defects in the engine or flight controls were identified.