Incident Overview
On July 2, 2024, at 10:10 local time, a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, registration HB-ZOQ, was involved in an incident during a training flight near Orbe in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The aircraft was operated by Heli-Lausanne SA and owned by UBS Switzerland AG. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) as an instructional flight, departing from and returning to Lausanne Airport (LSGL).
Sequence of Events
The helicopter was performing a hover maneuver with a student pilot alone on board. An instructor was supervising the exercise from the ground. During the hover, the instructor observed smoke emanating from the exhaust area. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter experienced a sudden loss of height and made a hard landing.
Inspection and Findings
Following the serious incident, an inspection of the helicopter was carried out. The examination identified the problem as being located in the freewheel assembly. The aircraft sustained light damage. There were no injuries to the crew, passengers, or third parties, and no ground damage occurred.
Investigation
The Swiss Safety Investigation Authority (SESE) opened an investigation into the incident. A preliminary report was published on October 2, 2024, providing initial details. The investigation is ongoing to determine the precise circumstances.