Incident Overview
On July 5, 2019, at approximately 12:10 local time, a serious incident involving an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3 (registration HB-ZNH) occurred at Engstlenalp in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. The helicopter was operated by Swiss Helicopter AG under visual flight rules (VFR) for a commercial operation. On board were a pilot, a flight helper, and a worker.
Sequence of Events
The helicopter had departed from Engi beim Engstlensee and was destined for coordinates 671 660 / 180 970. During the operation, a formwork element fell over and was caught by the rotor downwash of the helicopter. This loose element struck the worker, causing an injury to his back.
Injuries and Damage
The worker suffered a light injury to the back. The crew reported no injuries, and no passengers were involved. The helicopter itself was not damaged, and no third-party property damage occurred.
Investigation
The Swiss Safety Investigation Unit (SUST) opened an investigation into the incident. At the time of the preliminary report, no conclusions regarding the probable cause had been reached. The report noted that the information provided was provisional and not exhaustive.
Aircraft and Operator Details
The aircraft involved was an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3, registered as HB-ZNH. Both the holder and the owner of the helicopter were Swiss Helicopter AG, based in Chur, Switzerland.