Event Description
On 18 February 2011 at 07:12 UTC, a Robinson R44 Raven helicopter, registered F-GUJB, crashed into an olive grove near Canne della Battaglia, Italy. The helicopter was on a VFR transfer flight from Bari (Futura airfield) to Foggia (Gino Lisa Airport), approximately 30 nautical miles into the flight. The aircraft was operated by Working in Flight srl and was engaged in a tourism flight. The sole pilot on board died in the accident.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The Robinson R44 is a single-engine, four-seat helicopter with a two-blade main rotor and a metal fuselage. It was powered by a Lycoming O-540-F1B5 engine producing 235 hp. The pilot, a 28-year-old Italian male, held a commercial helicopter license issued on 15 June 2009, with valid ratings for the R44 and Hu269. His total flight time as of 29 November 2010 was 335 hours and 40 minutes.
Weather and Pilot Communications
Weather reports (METAR) from the Amendola and Gioia del Colle stations indicated rain, cumulonimbus clouds, and a generally low cloud base. Shortly before the accident, the pilot requested the cloud base altitude from Amendola Approach. Minutes later, he reported being in cloud and unable to see anything.
Accident Sequence and Damage
The helicopter impacted the ground in an olive grove with a nearly vertical trajectory. The impact occurred in a clear space between four olive trees arranged in a quadrangle about 8 meters apart. No damage or impact evidence was found on the trees. The helicopter was completely destroyed with no evidence of in-flight or post-crash fire. Approximately 80 meters from the main wreckage, fragments of the tail boom, including a section of the tail rotor drive shaft and the entire tail rotor, were found separated from the fuselage. These components showed evidence of interference with the main rotor blades.
Investigation Findings
Radar data analysis revealed that before the accident, the helicopter performed continuous and abrupt changes in altitude and direction near the impact point. The investigation has focused on human factors, particularly flight planning and training for flight in conditions without visibility.
The Italian National Flight Safety Authority (ANSV) arrived at the scene hours after the accident and collected evidence before the wreckage was removed. Evidence collection is nearly complete, and analysis is being finalized.