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Heli-Team AS 350 B3 LN-OAO Accident in Rostadalen, Norway

Rostadalen, Målselv in Troms, NO

On February 4, 2009, an Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (registration LN-OAO) operated by Heli-Team AS was involved in an aviation accident near Rostadalen, Målselv in Troms, NO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control was most likely caused by the tail guard and the lower part of the tail fin getting wedged in the snow during a precautionary landing without the commander noticing. This summary draws on records from the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards

A Heli-Team AS 350 B3, LN-OAO, crashed in Rostadalen, Målselv, Norway, on 4 February 2009. The commander died and one passenger was lightly injured after a precautionary landing in poor visibility.

Overview and Aircraft Details On 4 February 2009, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Equreuil helicopter, registration LN-OAO, operated by Heli-Team AS, crashed near Måskovatnet in Rostadalen, Målselv, Troms, Norway. The aircraft was owned by Heli-Team AS, based in Harstad, and was on a positioning flight from Harstad to Karasjok. The commander, a 37-year-old male, was killed, while one passenger sustained minor injuries. The accident occurred at approximately 10:10 local time (UTC+1). The investigation was conducted by the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (SHT/AIBN), with an accredited representative from the French BEA assisting, as France is the manufacturer's country.

Probable cause

The loss of control was most likely caused by the tail guard and the lower part of the tail fin getting wedged in the snow during a precautionary landing without the commander noticing. The helicopter rolled over, and the main rotor struck the snow-covered surface, causing two rotor blades to pass through the cabin and kill the commander.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA). Original record: https://nsia.no/Aviation/Aviation/Published-reports/2011-08. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) / Statens havarikommisjon, Norway.