Incident Overview
On April 3, 2024, a single-seat Kaman K-1200 helicopter operated by a Swiss-registered entity was involved in an accident near the locality of Judenbach in the Föritztal district. The aircraft, manufactured by Kaman Aerospace Corporation and built in 2023, was engaged in external load operations to remove trees damaged by drought from a steep slope. The pilot, a 54-year-old Swiss-licensed helicopter pilot with approximately 11,300 total flight hours and 2,500 hours on the K-1200 type, was acting as the second pilot for the day's operations.
Sequence of Events
At approximately 14:05 local time, the pilot initiated a takeoff to pick up an external load assembly consisting of a rigid pipe sling and a Heligrip felling grapple. The load, weighing approximately 1,144 kg (2,522 lbs), was positioned on a trailer nearby. Witness video footage captured the helicopter lifting off from a paved field junction. As the aircraft gained altitude, it failed to move toward the load as intended. Instead, the flexible compensator of the sling and the sliding load hook were pulled laterally, creating significant side tension.
This lateral force caused the helicopter to rotate around its vertical axis and subsequently roll over its longitudinal axis, a phenomenon similar to a dynamic rollover. The aircraft tore the Heligrip's storage stand from the trailer, dragging the entire external load assembly behind it. The pilot reported that wind from the front-left pushed the aircraft off position during takeoff. Despite full control inputs, the helicopter entered a steep bank angle that precluded a safe landing. The pilot attempted to gain time by pulling the collective pitch lever but was unable to release the load in time. The helicopter impacted the ground approximately 60 meters from the start point.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft came to rest on its right side, sustaining severe damage including sheared rotor blades, a broken tail section, and a fractured load hook. The pilot exited the wreckage independently with minor injuries. Meteorological data from nearby stations indicated winds from the south-southwest with gusts up to 17-19 knots at the time of the accident. The investigation found no mechanical failures in the control systems. The Heligrip system was still undergoing testing and had not completed its certification process prior to the incident.