Incident Overview
On 5 July 2016, at approximately 1500 local time, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter, registration LN-OND, operated by Bristow Norway AS, collided with a parked truck while taxiing on the helicopter parking platform Apron 7 at Stavanger Airport, Sola. The helicopter's four main rotor blades struck the roof of the truck, causing the blades to be destroyed. The truck was a 'skapbil,' a type of truck with a box body. Two workers who were in or near the truck were slightly injured by debris. The two pilots and 14 passengers on board the helicopter were uninjured.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Sikorsky S-92A, a medium-lift transport helicopter. It was operated by Bristow Norway AS. The flight crew consisted of two pilots, and there were 14 passengers on board. All occupants were uninjured.
Sequence of Events
The accident occurred during taxiing to a parking position. The helicopter's main rotor blades contacted the roof of a parked truck. The truck was part of construction work related to the 'New Helicopter Parking Positions' project at the airport. The collision resulted in the destruction of all four main rotor blades and damage to the truck. After the accident, notification was made to the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) approximately 40 minutes after the event.
Contributing Factors
The investigation identified several contributing factors. A lack of a project-specific risk analysis meant that the actors did not receive specific guidelines for managing the risks of the project. Additionally, several provisions of the local airside safety regulations were not followed. These included inadequate planning for safe distances from taxiing helicopters, no parking plan for vehicles and equipment, no site closure plans for the construction area, and unclear role assignments for involved personnel. The investigation also noted possible misinterpretation of red and white concrete blocks used as markings, and a general failure to adhere to safety rules.
Investigation Findings
The Accident Investigation Board Norway concluded that the overarching cause was the lack of a project-specific risk analysis, which led to insufficient guidance for all involved parties. The board stated that the accident involved multiple actors: Avinor AS (airport owner and developer), main contractor Stangeland AS, subcontractor Microtrenching AS, and operator Bristow Norway AS. The report emphasized that safety barriers were compromised at several levels, including planning, communication, and compliance with established procedures.