Helitrans AS 350 B3 LN-ODK Accident at Straumvatnet, Norway

Accident Overview and Immediate Outcome On 10 August 2006, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Ecureuil, registration LN-ODK, operated by Helitrans AS, crashed into Lake Straumvatnet in Sørfold, Nordland, Norway. The helicopter was on approach to a fuel depot during a sling-load assignment when it struck the water surface approximately 120 m from the shore. The accident occurred at 0755 local time (UTC+2). Two persons were on board: the commander and a loadmaster. Both were uninjured and escaped from the helicopter before it sank to a depth of approximately 60 m. They swam toward the shore and were picked up by eyewitnesses who met them in a rowboat. ## Aircraft and Operator The aircraft was a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Ecureuil, registration LN-ODK, owned and operated by Helitrans AS, based at Trondheim Airport, Værnes (ENVA). The commander reported that there were no technical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Contributing Factors The investigation found that the commander was under pressure to accept the sling-load assignment. He had limited experience with cargo slinging, and no more experienced pilots were available due to holiday leave. The assignment was to be carried out over several days in an unfamiliar area, and time pressure developed. The first day of the assignment was strenuous, with the maximum permitted working and flying time used. The commander was blinded by low morning sun and did not discover that the helicopter was about to strike the flat, shiny lake surface until it was too late. ## Safety Recommendations The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority has helicopter safety in inland operations as a focus area. The accident investigation board noted that a number of safety recommendations concerning this area in recent years had not yet been fully processed by the authority. Six safety recommendations were made in the report.