World · Europe · 9 hrs ago
Pilot injured in helicopter crash on glacier near Linthal
A 54-year-old pilot was injured in a helicopter crash on Tuesday morning near Linthal, in Switzerland’s canton of Glarus.
He was practising high-altitude landings in a Robinson R44 helicopter on a glacier in the Clariden-Hüfifirn area; one account names the site as Spitzalpelifirn.
The helicopter crashed for reasons that remain unclear and was badly damaged.
Rega rescuers treated the pilot at the scene and flew him to hospital.
No other people were involved, and there was no danger to others.
The wreckage has been recovered, and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office is leading a criminal investigation while the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board has begun a preliminary inquiry.
The investigations are intended to establish how the crash happened.
A 54-year-old pilot was injured when a helicopter crashed on a glacier near Linthal in the canton of Glarus.
The crash happened on Tuesday at about 9.30 a.m. during high-altitude landings.
The pilot was treated at the scene by a Rega crew and flown to hospital.
The Robinson R44 helicopter was heavily damaged, and authorities said there was no danger to other people.
The cause is unknown, and criminal and safety investigations are under way.
- Who
- A 54-year-old helicopter pilot was injured.
- What
- A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed during high-altitude landings. The pilot was flown to hospital.
- When
- Tuesday, at about 9.30 a.m.
- Where
- On a glacier near Linthal, in the area of the Clariden-Hüfifirn mountain landing site. One report identifies the glacier as Spitzalpelifirn.
- Why
- The cause is unknown.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The helicopter crashed during high-altitude landings on a glacier near Linthal.
A Rega crew treated the pilot at the scene and flew him to hospital.
The helicopter was recovered with help from a local helicopter company and the investigation authorities.
The Glarus cantonal police were conducting criminal investigations under the direction of the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, while the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board had opened a preliminary investigation.
- Pilot
- 54 years old
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 helicopter
- Time
- Tuesday, about 9.30 a.m.
- Location
- Glacier near Linthal, canton of Glarus; one report names Spitzalpelifirn
- Damage
- Helicopter heavily damaged
- Investigation
- Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland and Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board