What happened
On September 30, 2018, at approximately 11:40 UTC, a Bell 206B3 helicopter was performing a commercial sightseeing flight at Vöslau Aerodrome (LOAV) in Austria. The flight was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
Prior to the flight, the pilot had performed pre-flight inspections in a hangar. During this process, the pilot removed the left-side collective pitch lever and the left-side cyclic control stick to accommodate a passenger in the front left seat. However, the tail rotor pedals on the co-pilot side were not deactivated.
After departing from runway 13, the helicopter completed a 40-minute circuit. Upon returning to the aerodrome, the pilot contacted the tower to inquire about the landing direction and wind conditions. The tower informed the pilot that runway 13 was active and noted the presence of gusty winds.
As the helicopter taxied along taxiway A toward the company parking area, the pilot encountered gusty winds from the left. While transitioning through the intersection of taxiways A and C, the wind shifted to a rearward component with a left lateral element. This caused the aircraft to experience a rapid yawing motion, rotating four times to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the rotation by applying left pedal and increasing engine power, but was unable to stabilize the aircraft. The helicopter climbed briefly to approximately 10–12 meters before losing altitude rapidly, striking the asphalt with the landing gear and the tail boom hitting the grass. The aircraft subsequently tipped onto its left side.
All occupants were able to evacuate safely. There were no fatalities and no serious injuries, though one passenger was transported to a hospital for a precautionary examination.
The investigation
The SUB investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, flight planning, and the pilot's pre-flight actions. The investigation focused on the configuration of the cockpit controls and the impact of wind conditions on the aircraft's stability during the taxi phase. The investigators also reviewed the usage monitoring system (UMS) data and the pilot's compliance with operational procedures regarding the use of the co-pilot's controls.