What happened
On the evening of August 1, 2017, a solo pilot departed from Kjeller airport for a planned navigation flight toward the Vassfaret region. The aircraft, an Aquila AT01-100 with registration LN-NRB, was operating under visual flight rules. After flying northwest, the flight path took the aircraft over Lake Nevlingen before turning east.
At approximately 21:00 local time, the aircraft struck a vertical mountainside on the western face of Nordre Dyt_tholknatten. The impact was extremely violent, causing the aircraft to be destroyed and triggering a fire as fuel tanks ruptured. The collision resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined available wreckage, witness statements, and radar data. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying under a cloud layer with good visibility and noted no significant changes in altitude or course during the final phase of flight, though one witness noted slight wing rocking shortly before the impact.
Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting a previous engine component replacement in July 2017, but found no outstanding technical entries in the logbook. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits, and sufficient fuel was on board for the intended mission. The investigation also considered environmental factors, such as potential downdrafts or visibility issues, but found no evidence that weather played a role in the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft struck the mountain with a slight left bank of approximately 3 to 5 degrees.
- There was no evidence of mechanical failure or technical issues in the examined wreckage or flight logs.
- The pilot's medical and pilot certificates were valid.
- The investigation could not definitively rule out all technical causes due to the extensive destruction of the airframe.
- The exact cause of the accident remains undetermined based on the available facts.