What happened
On September 5, 2018, a Robinson R 44 RAVEN I, registration OK-PLP, crashed into a production hall in the western industrial zone of Plzeň. The flight was part of a series of short local flights conducted by the pilot during a business event. Following a previous landing on the roof of a company building, the pilot took off again with three passengers on board.
After flying approximately 2.5 km westward at a low altitude, the pilot attempted a sharp right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered an extreme bank and pitch, causing a rapid loss of altitude. The helicopter struck the roof of a factory building with high vertical velocity, penetrating the structure and resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft. The pilot and all three passengers sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the pilot had consumed significant amounts of alcohol during a business lunch prior to the flight. Toxicological analysis confirmed a blood alcohol concentration of 1.97 g/kg, a level that rendered safe piloting impossible. Furthermore, the pilot was flying without a valid Class 2 medical certificate.
The investigation examined the aircraft's technical condition and found no mechanical failures or malfunctions. The engine, flight controls, and hydraulic systems were fully functional up to the moment of impact. The investigation also reviewed the flight path, noting that the pilot departed from a rooftop rather than a suitable ground location, which significantly compromised safety by leaving no room for an emergency landing in the event of an engine failure.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft under the influence of alcohol at a level of 1.97 g/kg.
- The pilot lacked a valid medical certificate for the flight.
- The crash was caused by an improperly executed high-bank turn at low altitude, which the pilot failed to recover from due to poor coordination and the effects of intoxication.
- The pilot's decision to take off from a rooftop was irresponsible and violated standard flight procedures.
- The aircraft was mechanically sound and fully airworthy at the time of the accident.