Incident Overview
On September 9, 2020, at approximately 15:20 local time, a Kaman Aerospace Corporation K-1200 K-Max helicopter with registration HB-ZVM suffered an accident in Meiggra, located in the Zermatt region of Valais, Switzerland. The aircraft was operated by Rotex Helicopter AG, based in Balzers. The incident occurred during a visual flight rules (VFR) work flight involving external load transport.
Operational Context
The helicopter had been conducting material transport operations at Meiggra since the morning. By the time of the accident, approximately 31 of the planned 40 rotations had been completed. The pilot, a Swiss national holding an EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter), was performing a routine fueling stop with the rotors turning. The aircraft was positioned on a designated fueling pad marked for precise alignment.
Sequence of Events
During the approach for the fueling stop, the helicopter first moved to the load pickup area to return slings. It then proceeded north toward the fueling station. A ground crew member (Flughelfer B) had previously moved a company van (Sprinter) closer to the fuel tank to fill kerosene drums but left it in place to assist a colleague at the load site. The pilot, focused on aligning the landing gear with previous tire tracks and unaware of the vehicle's new position, landed. Just before touchdown, the main rotor blades struck the van.
Aircraft and Environmental Factors
The K-1200 K-Max is a single-seat helicopter designed for external loads, featuring intermeshing counter-rotating rotors that eliminate the need for a tail rotor. This configuration creates significant ground clearance hazards on both sides of the aircraft. Weather conditions were good, with light winds reported in the morning transitioning to valley winds in the afternoon. No technical defects were identified in the helicopter prior to or during the incident.
Consequences and Investigation
The collision caused the helicopter to tip onto its left side. The pilot was not injured, while no passengers or third parties were present at the scene. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, as did the company van. The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) conducted a summary investigation under Article 45 of the relevant safety regulations to derive lessons from the event.