What happened
On September 22, 2013, at approximately 13:06 UTC, a Robinson R44 helicopter departed from the Pogusch landing site in Styria, Austria, for a scheduled six-minute sightseeing flight. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers.
During the landing phase, the pilot initiated an approach toward a field near the road in Pogusch. Upon approaching the intended landing area, the pilot observed another helicopter, a Bell 206, already parked on the site. The pilot decided to abort the initial approach to better assess the area from a different angle. During this maneuver, the pilot observed the pilot of the stationary Bell 206 providing hand signals, which the R44 pilot interpreted as an instruction to land to the left of the parked aircraft.
As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter into a hover to position the aircraft north of the Bell 206, the left side of the main rotor blades made contact with the outermost branches of a tree. Following the contact, the pilot adjusted the flight path eastward to clear the obstacle and completed the landing. There were no injuries to the pilot or the three passengers, and the aircraft sustained only minor damage.
The investigation
The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's technical condition, and the legality of the landing site. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed and qualified for the flight. The aircraft's weight and balance were found to be within operating limits, despite minor mathematical discrepancies in the provided documentation.
Investigators also reviewed the landing site permissions. It was established that the pilot landed on plot number 181/1, which was not included in the company's authorized landing permits; the existing permit only covered the adjacent plot, number 178/1. Technical inspections of the Robinson R44 revealed no mechanical failures, though circular indentations were noted on the underside of both main rotor blade tips due to the tree contact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was a misinterpretation of hand signals provided by the pilot of the stationary Bell 206, which led the pilot to maneuver into a hazardous area.
- The pilot failed to maintain adequate safety distances and clearance from obstacles.
- The landing was performed on a site that was not authorized under the operator's current landing permits.
- Meteorological conditions and technical malfunctions were ruled out as contributing factors.