What happened
On 16 November 2021, an AS 350 B3 helicopter, registration LN-OYH, was performing specialized timber transport operations in Åsäng, Västernorrland County. The mission, operated by Heliscan on behalf of the Västernorrland County Administrative Board, involved moving 30 loads of timber using external sling loads.
As the helicopter was preparing to land, a refueller—whose assigned duties were strictly limited to refueling—approached the aircraft to attach a load to the cargo hook. During this process, the refueller became entangled in a cargo strap. Unaware that the load had been attached, the pilot adjusted the aircraft's altitude to reposition the hook. This maneuver caused the strap to tighten, lifting the refueller several meters into the air. The individual was subsequently released from the strap and fell to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the sequence of events, the crew's coordination, and the organizational management of the task. The investigation looked into the roles of the three personnel on site: the pilot, the loadmaster, and the refueller.
Investigators reviewed the use of cargo equipment, specifically the six-meter extension straps used for certain loads. They also analyzed the group dynamics, noting that the refueller had been performing tasks outside his official scope earlier in the day without intervention from the pilot or loadmaster. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the communication protocols, noting the refueller was not equipped with a radio to minimize operational disruptions.