What happened
The incident involved a DH.60M Moth operated by the Norwegian Air Force. The pilot was conducting a positioning flight from Oslo to Stavanger with the intention of participating in the inauguration ceremony for Sola Airport. During this mission, the aircraft was flying alongside two other DH.60M Moths belonging to the same unit.
While en route, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions characterized by low visibility caused by fog. Due to these circumstances, the pilot decided to attempt an emergency landing to ensure safety. The maneuver resulted in significant damage to the airframe, rendering it beyond repair. Despite the total loss of the aircraft, the pilot remained uninjured.
Findings
The decision to execute an emergency landing was driven by the inability to maintain safe visual flight conditions due to fog. The outcome highlights the critical nature of weather avoidance during positioning flights, particularly when operating vintage or light utility aircraft in challenging atmospheric conditions.