What happened
On March 10, 2015, a pilot was conducting flight training maneuvers near the Barlak training ground. The flight was planned for the purpose of practicing piloting techniques. After reviewing weather forecasts online and completing pre-flight preparations, the pilot initiated the flight.
At approximately 08:16, the helicopter took off from the Barlak landing site. After reaching an altitude of 200 meters, the pilot began a left turn with a 15-degree bank angle. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a zone of precipitation. This caused the cockpit windshield to become obscured and induced vibrations throughout the airframe. The pilot interpreted these symptoms as the onset of icing.
Due to the vibrations, the pilot decided to terminate the flight and perform an emergency landing on a site selected from the air. The approach and landing were executed normally; however, upon landing on the snow-covered surface, the aircraft tipped onto its right side as the landing gear was lowered. The pilot successfully shut down the engine, de-energized the aircraft, and exited the cabin safely. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but there were no fatalities or injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events leading from the encounter with precipitation to the ground impact. The investigation noted that the pilot's decision to land was prompted by the perceived onset of icing and the resulting vibrations experienced during the turn.