What happened
On the morning of 12 December 2001, a McDonnell Douglas 369E helicopter, registration SE-JDL, was performing a utility flight near Vuolda, Sweden. The pilot had been contracted to assist a reindeer herd owner with a seasonal drive and had arranged to meet the owner at a research station to refuel using a trailer-mounted tank.
Upon arriving at the site, the pilot observed the owner's car and a flatbed trailer parked in an open area. Assuming this location had been pre-selected as a suitable landing zone, the pilot began a landing approach. During the final maneuvers, at an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the pilot detected power lines spanning the area. Despite an attempt to maneuver away, the tail boom of the helicopter struck the cables, which were covered in frost. The impact caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled rotation, eventually striking the ground and the parked car. The pilot sustained a compressed disc but was able to exit the aircraft independently.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the circumstances surrounding the selection of the landing site and the pilot's approach procedures. The investigation noted that the power lines were not indicated on the navigation charts used by the pilot. Furthermore, the investigation found that the cables were difficult to detect due to the presence of frost and the low light conditions during sunrise.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's preparation, noting that no prior radio communication had occurred regarding the specific landing coordinates, and the pilot had never landed at this particular location before. The investigation also looked into the compliance of the operation with the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration's regulations regarding the commander's responsibility to ensure landing sites are free from obstacles.