What happened
On February 12, 2022, an ambulance helicopter was dispatched to the Åland Islands to respond to a medical emergency involving a person who had fallen. The mission required the crew to perform an off-airfield landing on Fiskö Island, as the patient could not be transported to a pre-established helipad.
The pilot conducted a normal approach to a residential yard, identifying the site after a second overflight. While the area was clear of major obstructions, the yard was bordered by buildings and sheds. After the Eurocopter (operated by Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance) touched down, the pilot set the engines to idle. At this moment, the crew's attention was momentarily diverted by a person approaching the aircraft.
During this distraction, the helicopter began to slide tail-first across the driveway, which was partially covered in ice. The aircraft traveled approximately 20 meters before the main rotor struck a boat shed. The impact caused the fuselage to strike a wall and resulted in severe damage to the rotor blades. The pilot was unable to shut down the engines via the standard instrument panel due to intense vibrations, necessitating the use of emergency shutdown switches. While the pilot and crew member were uninjured, the flight nurse sustained a back injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the landing site conditions, the crew's decision-making process, and the mechanical behavior of the aircraft during the slide. Investigators analyzed the sequence of events from the initial emergency call to the impact, including the role of environmental factors and the effectiveness of the rescue response.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the uncontrolled sliding of the helicopter on an icy surface.
- The crew focused on identifying the landing site and managing obstacles like trees and power lines, which distracted them from noticing the slippery, ice-covered ground.
- The transition of the engines to idle reduced the necessary downward force/friction, facilitating the slide.
- The landing site was partially covered in ice, and the skids were only partially resting on gravel.
Safety action
- The investigation noted that the 112 Suomi emergency application was not fully functional across all mobile networks in Åland, potentially complicating location accuracy.
- There were recommendations regarding the need for improved regional coordination of rescue services and the implementation of statutory oversight for major accident preparedness.
- Following the incident, the operator decided to fit slide stoppers to all skid-equipped helicopters in its fleet to prevent similar occurrences in winter conditions.