What happened
On April 4, 2009, a private Eurocopter EC120B, registration LN-ORE, was conducting a VFR flight from Røyse to Eggemoen in Norway. The pilot, accompanied by three passengers, had delayed the departure to allow fog and haze to dissipate. During the flight, visibility significantly deteriorated, prompting the pilot to seek an alternative landing site near Lisletta in Buskerud.
The pilot identified an open, snow-covered field as a suitable spot for a precautionary landing. To maintain visual references, the pilot approached from the southwest, utilizing a nearby wooded area and a road. However, as the aircraft descended toward the white, snow-covered terrain, visual references became increasingly difficult to maintain. During the final approach, the aircraft's descent became more abrupt than anticipated. Upon contact with the snow, the helicopter experienced a lateral and forward movement, causing it to tip to the right and capsize.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the flight path, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's experience. The investigation confirmed that the pilot had actively monitored weather reports and even consulted a meteorologist earlier that day. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's configuration, noting it was equipped with specialized landing plates for soft ground but lacked a radio altimeter.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to perform a precautionary landing due to deteriorating visibility was appropriate.
- The final approach maneuver was overly tight, featuring a sharp 120-degree turn and a short final leg.
- The lack of visual contrast between the white snow and the aircraft made it difficult to judge the height and descent rate.
- The pilot's limited experience and lack of specific training for landing in winter conditions was the primary factor in the inability to manage the landing.
- The aircraft was likely moving laterally or forward at the moment of impact, creating a rolling moment that the pilot could not correct in time.
Safety action
While the investigation noted that current regulations do not mandate specific winter landing training for private pilots, the findings suggest that the PPL(H) training curriculum could be enhanced to better prepare pilots for operations in such environments.