What happened
On a spring afternoon in 1977, the aircraft LN-VIE departed from Ørland airport at 14:27. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft's communication with the Ørland control tower ceased. The tower attempted to contact the pilot multiple times starting at 15:09, but received no response. Following several unsuccessful attempts to establish contact and requests for local ships to keep a lookout, an emergency was declared at 15:55.
A large-scale search operation was launched, involving five aircraft, several military and civilian helicopters, and various sea vessels. Despite a systematic search of the area, the aircraft was never located. The search was eventually terminated in July 1977.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight's last known position, the weather conditions, and the technical state of the aircraft. Investigators examined the weather logs from Ørland, which showed that while visibility dropped significantly due to fog—reaching as low as 800–900 meters—conditions prior to and during the initial departure phase were within the minimum requirements for VFR flight.
Technical scrutiny of the aircraft revealed that while the radio and navigation equipment appeared functional, there were serious concerns regarding the aircraft's airworthiness. Specifically, evidence suggested that an engine change had likely been performed by unauthorized personnel. Additionally, although the aircraft was equipped with an ELT, no signals were ever detected from the device.
Findings
- The aircraft LN-VIE was likely not airworthy due to an unauthorized engine replacement.
- Weather conditions at Ørland were fluctuating, but remained above VFR minimums at the time of departure.
- The pilot held all required certifications and was presumed to be in good physical and mental condition.
- The cause of the disappearance remains unknown.