What happened
On March 21, 2003, at approximately 10:25 UTC, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter departed from a hangar apron at Vöslau airfield in Kottingbrunn, Lower Austria, for a training flight. The crew consisted of a student pilot and an instructor.
During the initial phase of the flight, while maintaining an altitude of approximately 1 to 2 meters above the ground, the helicopter entered a right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted to the right and became uncontrollable. Despite intervention attempts by the flight instructor, the helicopter settled in a tilted position onto a nearby meadow. The aircraft subsequently tipped to the left and came to rest approximately 5.6 meters from the original takeoff position.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Safety Investigation Office (SUB) following notification from the Austro Control GmbH search and rescue center. The investigation reconstructed the sequence of events through findings from investigators and police. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were sunny with a north wind of approximately 10 knots.
Findings
- The helicopter sustained total loss of the airframe.
- The crew experienced the following injuries: the student pilot sustained a light injury to the forehead, while the flight instructor remained uninjured.
- Both occupants were wearing seatbelts and were able to egress the wreckage under their own power.