Helicopter theft in Austria

A Robinson R44 helicopter, valued at approximately 700,000 euros, was stolen from a hangar at Mauterndorf Airport in the Salzburg region of Austria during the night of September 27-28. The aircraft is managed by a company associated with former Olympic ski jumping champion Thomas Morgenstern.

Investigators have characterized the theft as a highly professional operation. The perpetrators reportedly disabled security cameras, removed the transponder and emergency locator transmitter (ELT), and used a maneuvering trolley to move the aircraft out of the hangar. To extend the flight range, thieves also siphoned 365 liters of aviation fuel. Despite the helicopter not being equipped for night flights, the thieves managed to navigate the mountainous terrain under moonlight.

Following the theft, the helicopter was tracked flying south through Austrian airspace, including Styria and Bleiburg, and across the Alps. The last known radar contact placed the aircraft over the island of Pag in Croatia. Authorities noted that because the helicopter did not enter any no-fly zones, there was no immediate legal basis for intervention.

An intensive search involving the Salzburg criminal police, Austro Control, and the Austrian Armed Forces is ongoing. Investigators have dismissed a recent Facebook post attempting to sell the helicopter for 895,000 euros as a hoax unrelated to the actual perpetrators. Thomas Morgenstern expressed disbelief regarding how the thieves managed to cross multiple national borders undetected, noting that the aircraft could potentially be dismantled or hidden to avoid detection.

The theft has resulted in significant business challenges for Morgenstern’s commercial flight company. While the aircraft was reportedly intercepted in Croatian airspace, Morgenstern has expressed doubt regarding its safe return. His team is currently conducting assessments to determine when flight operations can resume.