Pilots Unharmed after PZL SW4 Test Crash

PZL SW4

The pilots of a Polish-built PZL SW4 turbine-engine light helicopter walked away without injury after crashing on Sunday while performing cold weather testing in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Temperature at the time of the accident was minus 36 degrees F, according to the FAA, which said the crash happened at the Fairbanks International Airport. The runway was closed for about two hours as a cleanup crew removed the wreckage.

There was no information available about why the cold weather testing was being performed or what may have gone wrong. PZL-Swidnik, maker of the five-seat light utility SW4, is owned by helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland.

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