What happened
On July 5, 2016, at approximately 15:00 local time, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter, registration LN-OND, operated by Bristow Norway AS, was taxiing toward a parking stand on Apron 7 at Stavanger Airport (Sola). During the maneuver, the aircraft's main rotor blades struck the canopy of a parked utility truck. The impact caused extensive damage to all four main rotor blades. Two individuals located in and near the truck sustained minor injuries due to debris and rotor contact.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the circumstances surrounding the ongoing construction project at the airport, which involved establishing new helicopter stands. The investigation looked into the coordination between the airport owner, Avinor AS, the main contractor Stangeland Maskin AS, and the subcontractor Microtroling AS. Investigators reviewed the placement of the vehicle, the adequacy of safety markings, and the adherence to airside safety regulations. The inquiry also assessed the effectiveness of the risk assessments and the communication between the flight crew and ground personnel.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the collision. The investigation determined that a lack of project-specific risk analysis meant that the involved parties lacked clear guidelines for managing hazards related to the construction work. Specifically, there was no adequate plan for vehicle parking, no defined safety distances from taxiing aircraft, and no clear strategy for cordoning off construction zones.
Furthermore, the investigation identified the following issues:
- The placement of red and white concrete blocks along the asphalt edge was misleading; the blocks appeared to mark a safety zone but did not serve an active protective function, contributing to a misunderstanding of the safe operating area.
- Local airside safety regulations regarding taxiway clearances were not strictly followed.
- There was a lack of clarity regarding the responsibilities of the tower and airport patrol in managing the apron area during construction.
- While the flight crew was accustomed to operating with tight clearances, the presence of the vehicle within the required safety distance was not identified or reported by ground personnel or the crew prior to the strike.
Safety action
Following the incident, Avinor AS implemented several corrective measures, including the creation of new risk assessments for all airport projects and a mandatory checklist for contractors working in restricted zones. New requirements were established for work notifications (MOA) to include specific cordoning plans, and enhanced training was introduced for airport patrol and fire/rescue personnel to ensure better oversight of construction-related hazards on the airside.