What happened
On May 25, 2018, a private Airbus Helicopters EC 120 B, registered LN-OTO, was performing a flight involving a passenger drop-off at Skogn Airport in Norway. After a brief stop in Meråker, the pilot attempted to land at Skogn. Upon approaching the airfield from the northeast, the pilot observed a windsock indicating a northwest wind. Believing the wind had shifted to a headwind component that was unfavorable, the pilot decided to abort the initial approach.
During the maneuver to reorient the aircraft, the pilot executed a left turn over the airfield at a low altitude of approximately 20 meters and a reduced airspeed of roughly 30 to 40 knots. Shortly after crossing the runway, the helicopter began an uncontrolled leftward rotation. The pilot attempted to apply right pedal and increase collective pitch to maintain altitude, but the aircraft continued to descend and drift. The helicopter struck the ground on its left skid and overturned. The pilot escaped uninjured, while a passenger sustained a minor hand injury.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the wreckage and the flight data. Technical inspections of LN-OTO revealed no mechanical failures in the tail rotor control system or the main gearbox. However, the investigation noted significant structural damage, including broken main rotor blades and deformed suspension bars. The Vehicle and Engine Monitoring Display (VEMD) recorded an over-torque event of 111% during the flight, which the pilot initially mistook for a low RPM alarm.
Investigators also reviewed witness accounts. A local witness observed the helicopter flying at a low altitude and noted that the aircraft became unstable and moved erratically across all axes before the final impact. The investigation also considered the pilot's experience level, noting that while the pilot held a PPL(H), they had only 8 hours of experience on the EC 120 B type.