Helicopter Accident at Munster Nord Training Area

Incident Overview and Location On 4 February 2022, an Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 (CPDS) was involved in an accident at the Heidehöfe training area within the Munster Nord military exercise zone. The aircraft was operating a military pilot training flight from Fassberg. The accident resulted in serious injuries to both pilots and heavy damage to the helicopter, along with ground damage. ## Flight Progression and Loss of Control The helicopter departed Fassberg at 08:36 local time with two military pilots aboard. The flight was intended to practice helicopter-specific procedures, terrain flying, and navigation along the regimental “Low Level Route East” and in the Heidehöfe and Kohlenbissen training areas. The aircraft reached Heidehöfe around 10:15. The crew planned a slope landing. During the approach, the helicopter was at approximately 190 ft AGL and 40 kt. As the pilot flying prepared to descend vertically without forward speed, the aircraft began an uncontrolled yaw. It first turned slightly left, then rapidly right. Within about 12 seconds, the helicopter completed approximately 6.5 rotations around its vertical axis. The pilot attempted to control the aircraft using pedal, collective, and cyclic inputs and transmitted a distress call. The helicopter struck the grassy area at about 10:20 with a left bank. ## Personnel and Aircraft Details The pilot in command was a 24-year-old military pilot with approximately 2,114 total flight hours, including about 71 hours on the EC135 T3. The copilot was 29 years old with approximately 184 total flight hours, including about 57 hours on the EC135 T3. This was their first flight together. The EC135 T3 was a two-engine, light multirole helicopter built in 2018, with a maximum takeoff mass of 2,980 kg. It was equipped with Safran Helicopter Engines Arrius 2B2 engines, a four-blade main rotor, and a Fenestron tail rotor. The aircraft had a CPDS avionics configuration and was maintained by a German company. ## Environmental and Operational Context Weather at Fassberg at 10:22 included wind from 240° at 11 kt, visibility of 6,000 m, light drizzle, broken cloud at 1,200 ft, overcast at 4,000 ft, a temperature of 6 °C, and QNH 1,007 hPa. Raindrops were visible on the cockpit glass during the approach. The training area measured approximately 1,000 m by 700 m and included level meadows, three raised mounds for slope and ridge landings, a tank bridge, and several training buildings. A nearby NH90 helicopter heard the distress beacon and transported the injured pilots to Fassberg for medical care.