Helicopter Thieves Leave Five-Star Review for Olympic Champion’s Sightseeing Company

MAUTERNDORF, Austria — The thieves who stole a helicopter from the hangar of Olympic ski-jumping champion Thomas Morgenstern’s sightseeing company last week have left the business a glowing five-star online review, praising the “breathtaking night views,” the “very generous fuel situation” and the “total absence of a pilot telling you what to do.”

“Ten out of ten. Took off before 2 a.m., saw three countries before sunrise,” the review reads. “Only complaint: the security cameras were off the whole time, but to be fair, that was us.”

The Robinson R44 vanished from Mauterndorf airfield in the early hours of Sept. 28 and was last tracked over Croatia near the island of Pag, according to Austrian broadcaster ORF. The aircraft belongs to businessman Manuel Aster and is flown by Morgenstern’s company, which sells scenic flights over the Alps. Investigators believe the thieves brought along extra fuel for a refueling stop, a feature the review calls “bring-your-own snacks, but for the helicopter.”

Morgenstern, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, told ORF, “When I stood at the hangar on Monday morning, I thought it was a joke.” He has said he searched the hangar for hidden cameras.

Online reputation consultant Brigitte Sternchen said the review has already lifted the company’s rating. “Customers crave authenticity,” she said. “This is the only review I’ve ever seen where the guest kept the aircraft.”

The reviewers also uploaded a photo of the Adriatic coast at dawn, tagged their location as “Not Telling,” and rated the experience “perfect for couples or small criminal organizations.”

At the time of writing, the company had received a new booking request for a one-way flight from Mauterndorf to “somewhere south,” paid in cash, with a note reading, “No pilot needed. We know the way.”