What happened
During a mission to assist a Sami village with reindeer herding in the Tärnaby region, a helicopter and a mission specialist flew further west than originally anticipated. This deviation resulted in the aircraft entering Norwegian airspace by approximately 15 km. Seeking clarification from the operator's flight manager regarding the legality of operating in Norway, the pilot decided to perform an immediate landing.
The pilot selected a turning area at the terminus of a forest road as a landing site, based on an assessment made from a high altitude. During the approach along the road, the pilot encountered backlight conditions. As the aircraft neared the landing area, a telephone line crossing the road was encountered. Although the pilot attempted an evasive maneuver, the rear of the helicopter struck the line, causing structural damage. The subsequent attempt to land resulted in a hard landing, which caused additional damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's selection of the landing site and the visibility conditions during the approach. Investigators examined the flight path, the impact with the utility lines, and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an insufficient assessment of the landing site, which was unfamiliar to the pilot.
- The pilot failed to detect the telephone line in time to avoid the collision due to the landing site being previously unknown.
- Visibility was significantly hindered by backlight conditions during the approach.
- The telephone line pylons were obscured by surrounding trees, making them difficult to identify.
- The uncertainty regarding flight regulations in Norwegian airspace created pressure that accelerated the landing procedure.