According to a note released by the Thurgau cantonal police, a helicopter crash occurred today in Rothenhausen/TG. The two occupants were slightly injured. The causes of the accident are still unknown.
According to the findings of the Thurgau Cantonal Police, the helicopter was severely damaged shortly after 11.30 a.m. during a take-off manoeuvre in a meadow between Rothenhausen and Mettlen. The picture show the helicopter overturned on its right side. In the impact with the ground the main rotor separated together with the mast. The 55-year-old flight instructor and 58-year-old student pilot were slightly injured in the accident. They were transported to the hospital by the emergency services.  The damages to the helicopter are extensive.
Information subsequently gathered revealed that the helicopter involved was the Bell 505 HB-ZWC owned by Heli Sitterdorf AG.
Under Article 98 of the Aviation Act, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is responsible for the prosecution of offences committed on board an aircraft.
In order to clarify the exact course of events and the cause of the accident, experts of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) have opened an inquiry.
The investigation is being conducted with the support of the public prosecutor's office and the Thurgau cantonal police.