On Saturday afternoon, December 18, 2021, a helicopter reportedly fell from a height of a few metres onto a snowy meadow in Unteriberg (Canton Schwyz) shortly after 4 p.m. The 47-year-old pilot, who was alone on board, suffered minor injuries and had to be taken to hospital for treatment. According to a police report, he has been in the meantime released.
The aircraft involved in the incident is a MD520 Notar which was seriously damaged. According to SkyNews.ch, it is the MD 520N Notar with call sign HB-ZBM owned by Helivetia AG (the same source initially indicated another helicopter of the same type).
The scene of the accident is located 350 metres from the Minster indoor swimming pool, just off Oberibergerstrasse. Police and local fire brigade rushed on the scene to direct traffic on the main road, which remained open to alternating traffic. The scene of the accident was illuminated for a long time at nightfall to allow all investigations to be carried out.
The Unteriberg fire brigade, air rescue service and ambulance service were also called in.
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 wreckage of the helicopter has been removed by a helicopter.
Any persons who witnessed the accident can contact the police of Canton Schwyz on 041 819 29 29.