What happened
On September 14, 2003, at approximately 07:10 UTC, a commercial EC 120B helicopter departed from Krems-Langenlois Airport (LOAG) for a visual flight rules (VFR) mission. The flight, which included a pilot and a three-person camera crew, was intended to capture aerial footage of the Wachau Marathon. To facilitate filming, the left sliding door of the aircraft was open, and the flight path included authorized deviations below the minimum safe altitude.
While flying at approximately 1,100 feet with a low airspeed of 20–30 knots near the left bank of the Danube, the pilot observed the aircraft beginning an uncommanded yaw to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the rotation by applying right pedal input, but the aircraft failed to respond to the controls. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot increased forward airspeed, but this resulted in an accelerating, uncontrollable spiral descent toward the water.
As the aircraft approached the surface, the pilot applied collective pitch and tilted the helicopter to the right, specifically attempting to mitigate the impact and ensure an exit path through the open left door. The helicopter struck the water and sank. All four occupants managed to unbuckle their harnesses and exit the submerged cabin. The crew and passengers reached the riverbank with the assistance of marathon participants. The three passengers were transported to Krems Hospital for observation.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB), reconstructed the flight sequence using witness statements and findings from public safety authorities. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the subsequent impact with the river. The wreckage was recovered approximately 3.2 kilometers downstream near Rossatz/Arnsdorf and transported to the SUB investigation facility for examination.