McDonnell Douglas MD 900 crash near Heiligenblut, Austria

On August 1, 2017, at 1815 UTC, a McDonnell Douglas MD 900 Helicopter, Austrian registration OE-XWF, impacted mountainous terrain about 8 miles west-northwest of Heiligenblut, Austria. One medical crewmember sustained minor injuries. The pilot, the other medical crewmember, and passenger on board were not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, emergency medical services flight that originated at Matrei-Osttirol Heliport, Austria.The helicopter had been dispatched to airlift a tourist with a medical emergency from a lodge near the summit of Mount Grossglockner, at 11,630 ft. MSL. During takeoff from the lodge location, the helicopter started an uncommanded yaw to the right. It subsequently struck the ground and rolled over coming to rest on its right side. This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Austrian government. Any further information may be obtained from: Austrian Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority Trauzlgasse 1, A-1210 Vienna Austria Telephone: +43 171162/659209 E-mail: fus@bmvit.gv.at This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from, the Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority of Austria.