What happened
On the morning of November 1, 2022, an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3, registration LN-OBP, crashed in Verdal, Trøndelag County, shortly after departing from its operating base. The helicopter, operated by Midtnorsk Helikopterservice AS, was performing a transport mission carrying two passengers, a dog, and various pieces of luggage.
During the takeoff phase, the pilot encountered heavy fog. Within approximately 10 to 20 seconds of lift-off and roughly 450 meters from the helipad, the commander lost visual references due to the low visibility. The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain. While the pilot sustained serious injuries, both passengers suffered fatal injuries.
The investigation
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) examined the sequence of events, the aircraft's condition, and the organizational structure of the operator. The investigation looked into the meteorological conditions, noting that the pilot had previously attempted this mission two days prior but was unable to proceed due to mountain fog.
Investigators also analyzed the survival aspects of the crash. They found that the passengers were ejected from the aircraft during the impact. This was attributed to a combination of a mechanical failure in the rotary buckle of the seatbelts and the improper use of restraints, compounded by a significant amount of unsecured luggage positioned next to the rear passenger.
Furthermore, the NSIA scrutinized the operator's management structure. The investigation revealed that the commander held multiple key regulatory positions within the company, acting as both an active pilot and a primary shareholder. The inquiry also assessed the oversight capabilities of the Civil Aviation Authority Norway (CAA Norway) regarding the supervision of small-scale inland helicopter operations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of visual references in fog during the initial climb.
- The fatalities were caused by the passengers being thrown from the cabin, a result of unsecured luggage and the failure of a seatbelt rotary buckle.
- The operator's organizational structure lacked sufficient operational control, as the pilot was personally managing several high-level regulatory responsibilities.
- There were deficiencies in the risk-based oversight of the inland helicopter segment by the national aviation authority.