What happened
On a scheduled flight from Tromsø to Hammerfest, a DHC-8-103 with registration LN-WIK was performing its approach to runway 05. The flight, operated by Widerøe, carried 26 passengers and a crew consisting of two pilots and two cabin attendants. While the flight had previously operated without difficulty earlier in the day, the crew was notified of variable and gusty winds from the southeast during the final approach.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the wind conditions shifted, causing the wind to favor runway 05. During this phase, the commander was acting as the pilot flying. Shortly before touchdown, the wind direction shifted to the right and intensified, creating a significant tailwind component. This sudden change caused the aircraft's descent rate to increase sharply. In an attempt to compensate, the commander applied full power, but the aircraft struck the runway surface with excessive force just inside the runway edge.
Upon impact, the right main landing gear leg failed. The aircraft slid on its belly and a partially retracted right main wheel and wing tip for approximately 650 meters, eventually coming to a halt near the second taxiway turnoff. Although emergency services arrived quickly to apply foam and prevent fire, passengers experienced smoke and a burning smell inside the cabin. An evacuation was initiated 33 seconds after the commander's order, a delay attributed to a failure in the cabin's Public Address system.
There were 0 fatalities and no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.