Aircraft and Flight Details
On 14 September 2003, a Eurocopter EC120B helicopter operated by a commercial air transport company departed Krems-Langenlois Airport (LOAG) shortly after 07:00 UTC. The helicopter carried a pilot and three passengers, comprising a camera crew, to film the Wachau Marathon. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) with weather reported as VMC, light clouds, and a temperature of approximately 18°C. For the purpose of filming, the left sliding door was removed, and a permit authorized flight below minimum altitudes.
The route took the helicopter to Melk, where the marathon start at Emmersdorf was filmed. After a U-turn, the helicopter flew downstream over the Danube near the left bank, closing in on the leading runners. The aircraft was in slow flight at about 20–30 knots at an altitude of approximately 1,100 feet.
Accident Sequence
While in slow flight, the pilot noticed an uncommanded left yaw (rotation about the vertical axis). The pilot applied right pedal input to counter the rotation, but the helicopter did not respond. Attempting to increase forward speed to regain control, the pilot found that the rotation accelerated and became uncontrollable. The helicopter began a descending spiral motion toward the water.
Anticipating impact, the pilot pulled the collective control stick and banked the helicopter to the right, aiming to facilitate escape through the open left door. The helicopter struck the Danube surface and submerged. All four occupants released their seat belts, exited the aircraft, and reached the shore unaided or with assistance from marathon participants and bystanders. The three passengers were taken to Krems hospital for observation.
Rescue and Recovery
The partially submerged wreckage drifted approximately 3.2 kilometers downstream to the right bank of the Danube near river kilometer 2014.1, within the municipality of Rossatz/Arnsdorf. The wreck was secured by firefighters and subsequently recovered. Examination was conducted at the site and later at the investigation facility. The helicopter sustained total damage.
The investigation was conducted by the Austrian Safety Investigation Board (SUB) under the Aircraft Accident Investigation Act (FlUG). Due to the age of the occurrence and resource constraints, the investigation was completed as a simplified report, containing only factual information on the aircraft and the sequence of events. No probable cause was determined.