What happened
On 3 April 2024, at approximately 12:15 UTC, a Kaman K-120 and registration HB-ZXY was involved in an aviation accident in Sonneberg, Thuringia, Germany. The aircraft, operated by Rotex Helicopter AG, was conducting a flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) departing from and returning to Sonneberg. During the flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of control in flight, which resulted in a collision with the ground. There were no passengers on board, and the single pilot was the only occupant of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident was initiated by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation (BFU). The inquiry focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of control and the impact with the terrain. The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the crash, though no third parties or ground structures were involved in the collision.