Accident Sequence
On 30 August 2004, a privately operated Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration LN-OCI, was conducting a transport flight to Isvatn lake near Slogen Mountain in Ørsta municipality, Møre og Romsdal, Norway. The pilot, aged 26, was flying personnel and equipment for a private history group. During the second flight of the day, the pilot flew past the designated landing zone on the north side of the lake at approximately 100 feet altitude and 40-50 knots indicated airspeed because the passenger wanted to photograph the landing site.
After passing the landing zone, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn to the downwind leg and climbed to about 150 feet. During the turn, low rotor RPM warnings activated. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and decided to perform an emergency landing on the water. The ditching was carried out according to prescribed emergency procedures and was successful, but the helicopter sank immediately to a depth of 5 meters, coming to rest on its skids at the bottom.
Rescue and Survivability
The pilot assisted the passenger in unbuckling her seatbelt, and both occupants escaped the submerged helicopter and reached the surface. The passenger had difficulty swimming to shore but was aided by a witness on land who swam out to her. The pilot swam to shore unaided. The helicopter was not equipped with flotation devices, and neither occupant was wearing a life vest. The landing approach was planned and executed over water because no safe emergency landing area was available on land.
Investigation Findings
The investigation found no technical malfunctions in the helicopter and considered it airworthy before the accident. The Accident Investigation Board of Norway (AIBN) concluded that the helicopter was operated near its performance limitations and most likely entered a situation where power required exceeded power available (overpitching). Additionally, temperature and humidity conditions were favorable for carburetor icing, and the board could not exclude that carburetor icing further limited available power.
The accident shares several common features with other light helicopter accidents in Norway. The AIBN issued three safety recommendations related to training, planning of approach and departure routes to enable safe emergency landings, and requirements for wearing life vests when flying over water.