Accident Overview
On 7 December 2017 at 09:17 UTC, a Robinson R44 Astro helicopter, registration OK-EIN, was destroyed during a landing attempt at LKTB (Brno-Tuřany Airport). The helicopter came to rest on a grass area west of the operating area known as "Základna jih." The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured and transported to a hospital.
Flight History
The pilot and passenger, who was not acting as an instructor, met at the airport around 08:00 UTC. The pilot conducted a preflight inspection and engine start. After receiving takeoff clearance, they departed from the operating area via exit point ZULU and flew south to a former airfield near Strachotín. There, the pilot performed three circuits focusing on takeoff and landing practice, as well as low-level maneuvering. Afterward, they returned to LKTB via entry point ZULU.
During the approach to "Základna jih," the pilot was cleared to land by the Tuřany Tower and informed of wind direction 210° at 7 knots. The approach was from the south at 1,500 ft, descending gradually. The pilot planned to land on a more distant area, approaching from the west with a right crosswind.
Accident Sequence
According to SSR data, at 09:16:20 the helicopter began a right turn, and shortly thereafter the main rotor blade struck the tail boom, severing it. The uncontrollable helicopter then impacted the ground with the tail boom and main rotor blades. The last SSR position was recorded at 09:16:34 at 700 ft ALT. The passenger reported that during the final right turn, a wind gust likely occurred, and the pilot did not react in time, causing the helicopter to spin right.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The helicopter was a Robinson R44 Astro, registration OK-EIN, owned by a legal entity. The pilot, a 48-year-old male, held a PPL(H) with a valid type rating for the R44 until 28 February 2018. His medical certificate was Class 2 with a restriction for distance spectacles (VDL). He had accumulated 31 hours on the R44 before his first solo in August 2014 and 106 hours 35 minutes by his type rating test on 23 February 2017. His last flight before the accident was on 1 December 2017. The passenger was seated in the left front seat, but the left-side controls were not installed.
Damage and Injuries
The helicopter was seriously damaged in flight and completely destroyed upon ground impact. The pilot and passenger both sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. No other injuries or property damage were reported.
Probable Cause
The source does not state a probable cause.