What happened
During the Cold Response military exercise, a Norwegian military transport flight, operating as HAZE 01, was traveling from Harstad/Narvik Airport (Evenes) to Kiruna Airport in Sweden. The C-130J-30 Super Hercules was carrying a crew of four and one passenger. After initially holding at Flight Level 130, the aircraft transitioned from Norwegian to Swedish air traffic control.
Upon entering Swedish airspace, the crew received clearance to descend to Flight Level 100. As the aircraft descended through the lower limit of controlled airspace, Kiruna Tower cleared the aircraft to Flight Level 70. Because the Swedish air navigation services lacked radar coverage at the altitudes where the aircraft was operating, controllers could not monitor the descent.
At 14:57 hrs, the aircraft leveled off at Flight Level 70. Approximately thirty seconds later, the aircraft struck the terrain between the north and south peaks on the western side of Kebnekaise. The impact resulted in 5 fatalities. Flight data recorders indicated the aircraft was in level flight at roughly 280 knots and that the crew was unaware of the approaching terrain.
Findings
- The investigation identified systemic weaknesses within both the Norwegian Air Force and LFV rather than individual pilot error.
- Flight operations lacked sufficient procedures for flight planning and follow-up.
- The crew relied on a high level of confidence in air traffic control, which led them to accept a clearance that did not provide adequate terrain separation.
- Air traffic controllers lacked the necessary experience and knowledge to safely guide traffic from the west into Kiruna under those specific conditions.
- A lack of radar coverage prevented controllers from effectively monitoring the aircraft's descent.
- The aircraft's Ground Collision Avoidance System did not trigger a warning because the specific terrain profile and system settings did not meet the required warning criteria.
- No mechanical failures were identified as contributing factors to the crash.