Facts
On 14 May 2003, an Agusta A109K2 helicopter, registration HB-XWH, operated by Schweiz. Luftambulanz AG (REGA), was used for a static medical equipment demonstration as part of a four-day emergency medicine course in La Stampa, Cadro/TI, approximately 4 km north-northeast of Lugano. The helicopter was crewed by a pilot, an emergency physician, and a helicopter emergency medical services crew member (HCM).
At around 09:40, a REGA emergency physician arrived on site. The course director and this physician intended to demonstrate not only the medical equipment but also the effect of rotor downwash and the noise of the air ambulance. The arrival time was coordinated as 10:05. When HB-XWH was about 3 km away, the onboard HCM radioed to confirm that all participants were near the landing field. The helicopter approached from the south due to a northerly wind (Nordföhn). To demonstrate the rotor downwash given the wind conditions, the group was moved to the west side of the meadow, along a boundary wall. Behind this wall, about 1.5 m lower, lay the access road.
The ground-based REGA physician requested a hover to demonstrate rotor downwash. The helicopter hovered at about 8–10 m above the field. After 3–5 seconds, the pilot transitioned to forward flight and then landed. During this demonstration, a course participant fell over the wall onto the road, suffering serious injuries (spinal column and left hand). The participant stated he felt literally lifted from the ground and pushed over the wall. Two other participants also observed the incident; one described crouching and turning due to wind vortices. First aid was rendered, and the injured person was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. The pilot reported the accident via an air safety report that evening.
The investigation was opened the same day by the Ufficio d’inchiesta sugli infortuni aeronautici (UIIA) in collaboration with the cantonal police.
Cause
The accident was caused by the selection of an unsuitable location in the terrain for the demonstration of the rotor downwash, resulting in a person being pushed by this effect and falling over a low wall onto the adjacent lower road. A contributing factor was the insufficient supervision of the demonstration participants on the ground.