Eurocopter EC130B4 crash near Maasvlakte, Netherlands

A Heli Holland Eurocopter EC130B4 (PH-ECJ, manufactured 2003) was carrying out a photo flight over the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam where a cycle race was being held. Three photographers and an organisation staff member were photographing cyclists from the helicopter. While hovering at low altitude, the aircraft suddenly rotated rapidly around its vertical axis and lost altitude. The rotation did not stop and the helicopter rapidly descended, crashing at high vertical speed. Four of five occupants were killed including the pilot. The fifth occupant was severely injured. The Dutch Safety Board could not establish a definitive cause but identified possible causes including vortex ring state, passenger interference, or insufficient pilot reaction. The low hovering altitude was insufficient to recover from the situation that developed.