Alpine rescue expert and two others were being lowered on a winch to rescue a trapped climber.  Due to poor visibility, the pilot released the winch at too high an altitude – about 10m AGL.  Franz Franzeskon died instantly in the fall while the two others suffered multiple injuries. No technical issues reported with the helicopter

Date:

29 April, 2012

Reg:

OE-XMM

Make:

MD Helicopters

Model:

MD902

MSN:

900-00084

Location:

Großvenediger

Country:

Austria

Civil / Military:

Civil

Fatalities:

1

Operator:

Heli-Austria

Link:

http://www.austriantimes.at/news/General_News/2012-05-01/41327/Helicopter_pilot_may_face_manslaughter_charges_

Link:

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftirol.orf.at%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2530914%2F