Helicopter crashes into trees during suspected overpitching event near Greding

Casualties unknown • nahe Greding-Obermässing, DE

A Schweizer Aircraft Corporation **HU 269C** crashed into a forested hillside near Greding-Obermässing, resulting in **two fatalities**.

What happened

On February 9, 2025, a HU 269C helicopter departed from the Dippenricht heliport, bound for Thalmässing-Waizenhofen. The flight was being conducted by a pilot with approximately 130 hours of helicopter experience, accompanied by a flight instructor.

As the aircraft approached the rising terrain of the Hofberg hill, witnesses observed the helicopter flying at a very low altitude. One witness reported seeing the aircraft fly toward the forest edge, noting a sudden change in engine sound. Other observers noted the aircraft appeared to pitch its nose up briefly before disappearing into the treetops. The helicopter struck the dense canopy of a forest on the eastern slope of the hill, causing the aircraft to be destroyed and resulting in two fatalities.

The investigation

The BFU examined the wreckage and the engine components extensively. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure in the engine, the fuel system, or the flight controls. The engine was found to have been operating normally up until the impact, and the fuel supply was intact.

Radar data indicated that the aircraft was flying at a low altitude and was not transmitting a transponder signal, contrary to regulatory requirements. The investigation also noted that the pilot's recent flight experience was limited, and the flight instructor's recent training/flight activity was also low, suggesting a reduced level of proficiency in handling emergency procedures or complex maneuvers at the time of the accident.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the low flight altitude while approaching the rising, forested terrain, which left virtually no margin for error or recovery.
  • The investigation concluded that the aircraft likely experienced overpitching during its climb. This occurred when the pilot increased the collective pitch to climb the slope without a corresponding increase in engine power via the throttle, leading to a collapse in rotor RPM and engine performance.
  • The observed nose-up attitude immediately before impact was likely a controlled attempt to perform an emergency landing on the treetops to mitigate the descent.
  • The high density of the trees and the subsequent fall through the canopy contributed to the severity of the impact.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by low-altitude flight over rising terrain, which led to an overpitching condition. This resulted in a loss of rotor RPM and engine power, forcing the crew into a controlled but ultimately fatal attempt to land on the treetops.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2025-02-09 Schweizer Aircraft Corporation HU 269C accident near nahe Greding-Obermässing, DE?

A Schweizer Aircraft Corporation **HU 269C** crashed into a forested hillside near Greding-Obermässing, resulting in **two fatalities**.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2025-02-09 involved a Schweizer Aircraft Corporation HU 269C, at nahe Greding-Obermässing, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by low-altitude flight over rising terrain, which led to an overpitching condition. This resulted in a loss of rotor RPM and engine power, forcing the crew into a controlled but ultimately fatal attempt to land on the treetops.

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