Robinson R44 rotor blade contact with a tree at Pogusch

Event overview On 22 September 2013 at approximately 13:06 UTC, a Robinson R44 helicopter operated by an Austrian air transport company touched tree branches with a rotor blade while landing at an unmarked grass site near Pogusch in Styria, Austria. The helicopter was conducting a sightseeing flight under visual flight rules with three passengers on board. ## Flight and landing The pilot departed from the Pogusch landing site around 13:00 UTC for a planned six-minute flight. During the approach, the pilot observed two other helicopters parked on the intended landing area. The pilot decided to continue the approach to better assess the available space. At about 60 meters south of the intended landing point, the pilot aborted the landing and turned the helicopter approximately 90 degrees to the right. ## Rotor blade contact While maneuvering to land to the left of a parked Bell 206 helicopter, the left rotor blade of the Robinson R44 contacted the outer branches of a tree. The pilot continued the landing maneuver and brought the helicopter to a stop. All passengers and the pilot exited the aircraft without injury. ## Aircraft and site The Robinson R44 was manufactured by Robinson Helicopter Company in the United States and was registered in Austria. The aircraft had 84:48 total operating hours. The landing site was a rectangular, approximately level grass field measuring about 70 meters by 35 meters, located at an elevation of approximately 1,057 meters. The site had no markings. ## Investigation findings No technical malfunction was identified. Round indentations were found on both main rotor blades. The investigation was conducted under EU Regulation 996/2010 and the Austrian Accident Investigation Act. The sole purpose of the investigation was to prevent future accidents or incidents, without determining fault or liability.