Factual Information
On March 1, 2007, at approximately 18:05 UTC, a Hughes 269C helicopter operated by a flight school was involved in an accident northeast of the wind turbines in the municipality of Leitzersdorf, Lower Austria, Austria. The aircraft was conducting a training flight.
Event and Flight Sequence
The helicopter, with a flight instructor and a student pilot aboard, departed from Stockerau airfield at 16:42 UTC for a training flight focused on traffic pattern circuits. The student was flying the circuits. During one circuit, the instructor noticed sudden vibrations and unusual noises from the helicopter. The instructor immediately took control and initiated an autorotation. At that time, the helicopter was at an altitude of approximately 1500 to 1700 feet above mean sea level. During the landing, the helicopter touched down and tipped onto its side.
Damage and Injuries
The helicopter was substantially damaged. Both occupants were not injured. No other persons or property were damaged.
Additional Details
The flight preparation was completed prior to departure. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot License for helicopters (CPL(H)) and a Flight Instructor (FI) rating. The helicopter was of the type Hughes 269C. The accident occurred during daylight hours. The investigation was conducted by the Austrian Safety Investigation Board.