TOPR helicopter crash. Movie from a tragic event – O2

On August 11, 1994 at 12.45 hrs, the headquarters of the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue received a notification of an accident in Kocioł Gąsienicowy – on the road between Hala Gąsienicowa and Kasprowy Wierch. At that time, two tourists from Sweden suffered fractures of the lower extremities and needed immediate help.

The rescue operation was attended by Janusz Kubica (expedition commander), Michislav Zyach, Roman Kopen, Rafai Mickiewicz, Robert Janic, Stanislav Matia-Torbyars, Bogoslav Arndarchic and Janusz Rebicki. Their task was to transport the wounded to a hospital in Zakopane.

The rescue helicopter arrived at the Hala Gozinikwa area and flew to a suitable location, allowing the rescuers to descend on the ground. Robert Janek ran towards the tourists from Sweden, while the others carried a pair of stretchers from the helicopter deck. However, they once noticed that Janusz Kubica was unconscious and had a head wound.

Most likely, the flight commander was hit by the main rotor blade. In this case, they decide to take their friend to a hospital in Zakopane. – We landed in three minutes, we need an ambulance – reported to the rescuers in the last message.

Unfortunately, the group did not make it to the hospital. There was a tragic accident at the height of the Olczyska Valley. Unloading the main rotor blade caused it to lose lift as it exited the descending rotor cone. Eventually, the bulldozer collided with the helicopter’s tail beam, causing it to break off.

The helicopter crashed at the foot of the Great Hill. Bogoslav Arndarczyk, Janusz Rebicki, Janusz Kubica and Stanislav Mateja-Turbiers died in the accident.

Information about the accident quickly spread throughout Zakopane. Not only the TOPR and TPN members took part in the rescue operation, but also the ordinary residents. However, the rescuers did not have a chance to survive. This is evidenced by the fact that the remains of the helicopter were scattered over an area of ​​​​1000 meters.

Currently, in the emblematic Tatra cemetery near Osterwa, you can see a plaque dedicated to the victims of the crash of August 11, 1984.

The recording of the moment of the tragedy has been posted online. The film was shot by a 12-year-old boy who at that unlucky moment was on top of Nosal. You can see parts of the helicopter falling off of it, then spinning through the air and falling off.