Flight History
On 10 May 2017 at approximately 09:33 UTC, a Westland-Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter departed Innsbruck Airport (LOWI) for a private sightseeing flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The pilot and one passenger were on board. After takeoff, the helicopter flew west and then turned left, climbing to about 3000 ft MSL. Air traffic control (ATC) instructed the pilot to watch for traffic and to proceed east through the Inn Valley. The pilot acknowledged and later requested and received clearance to climb to 7000 ft MSL or below. Over the Walder Alm, the helicopter performed a full left turn and continued toward Jenbach. At 09:55:26 UTC, the pilot reported being near Mike 1 and stated his intention to enter the Achensee valley at 4000 ft MSL. ATC instructed him to maintain squawk and leave the frequency; no further radio contact was made.
The helicopter then changed course toward Maurach and Hausern, overflew the southern part of Lake Achensee, and entered the Gerntal valley via Pertisau. After passing the Gern Alm, the pilot initiated a 180° left turn back toward Pertisau. About 1.5 km before Pertisau, the helicopter entered the Falzthurntal valley via a right turn and flew on the right side of the valley road toward Gramaialm.
Accident
Approximately 260 meters after the Alpengasthof Gramaialm, at an altitude of about 75 m above ground level (AGL), the helicopter collided with the haul rope of the Gramaialm material cableway. The helicopter crashed to the ground and caught fire. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was destroyed; there was also ground damage and damage to the cableway's haul rope.
Investigation Findings
The safety investigation, conducted by the Austrian Safety Investigation Board (SUB), examined the wreckage and witness statements. The helicopter, a Westland-Bell 47G-3B-1, was privately owned and operated. The flight was conducted under VFR in good weather conditions as reported by nearby airports. The accident site was located at coordinates N 47° 24' 7.524 E 11° 36' 45.4212, elevation approximately 1278 m. The helicopter had no flight recorder; however, GPS and radar data were available. The investigation did not specify a probable cause.