3 fatalities

Fatal VFR Mountain Strike Near Egilsstaðir Airport (TF-RTO)

Egilsstaðir, IcelandLanding (descent or approach)

On September 22, 1980, a Britten-Norman Islander (registration TF-RTO) operated by Flugfélag Austurlands was involved in an aviation accident near Egilsstaðir, Iceland during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot continued to fly under VFR in adverse weather conditions. Controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft struck a mountain slope near Egilsstaðir Airport during a VFR descent in poor weather, killing all three occupants.

Incident Overview and Location Details During a descent toward Egilsstaðir Airport, a twin-engine aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions characterized by low clouds and limited visibility. The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at the time of the incident. The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Smjörfjöll, which has an elevation of 1,251 meters, located a few kilometers from the destination airport. The impact resulted in the deaths of all three occupants on board. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, or operator. ## Operational Context and Probable Cause The official investigation identified the probable cause as the pilot's decision to continue flying under VFR in adverse weather conditions, leading to a controlled flight into terrain. The limited visibility due to low clouds was a significant factor in the accident. The investigation did not provide additional details regarding the specific aircraft model, registration, or the exact date of the incident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Sept 1980 Britten-Norman Islander accident near Egilsstaðir, Iceland?

A twin-engine aircraft struck a mountain slope near Egilsstaðir Airport during a VFR descent in poor weather, killing all three occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Sept 1980 Britten-Norman Islander accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Sept 1980 involved a Britten-Norman Islander, registration TF-RTO, operated by Flugfélag Austurlands, at Egilsstaðir, Iceland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot continued to fly under VFR in adverse weather conditions. Controlled flight into terrain.