Introduction
On 21 November 2021, a Bell 429 helicopter operated by a private Austrian operator was involved in an accident at Wr. Neustadt/Ost airport (LOAN). The flight originated in Bozen, Italy, as a passenger flight.
Flight History
The helicopter departed Bozen for Wr. Neustadt. Between 15:38 and 15:40 UTC, the pilot set down a passenger at an external landing site on the Semmering. The flight then continued toward the home airport of Wr. Neustadt/Ost.
Accident Event
At approximately 15:53 UTC, shortly after ECET, the helicopter collided with the ground on taxiway INDIA at Wr. Neustadt/Ost. The accident occurred in dense fog.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, dense fog was present at the airport, reducing visibility significantly.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the continuation of a visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and spatial disorientation.