No fatalities

Engine Failure Leads to Crash in Sikmarö; Fuel Selector on Empty Tank Cited as Cause (78002)

Sikmarö, SwedenFlight

On July 14, 1954, a Noorduyn Norseman (registration 78002) operated by Swedish Air Force - Flygvapnet was involved in an aviation accident near Sikmarö, Sweden in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the engine failure was caused by a fuel exhaustion because the fuel selector was connected to an empty fuel tank. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

While flying at 150 meters, the engine failed. The pilot restarted it but the aircraft lost height, contacted trees, and crashed in a wooded area in Sikmarö. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were injured. The probable cause was fuel exhaustion due to the fuel selector being connected to an empty tank.

Accident Details

During a flight at an altitude of 150 meters, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot managed to restart the engine, but the aircraft lost height during the process. It subsequently contacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Sikmarö. The impact destroyed the aircraft.

Occupants

The aircraft carried four occupants. The crew consisted of pilot Karl Axel Olof Arbin and signaller Bo Siggeson Kirsten. The passengers were Jan Holmgren and Han Thorsén. All four occupants sustained injuries as a result of the crash.

Probable Cause

Investigators determined that the engine failure was caused by fuel exhaustion. The fuel selector had been positioned to draw fuel from an empty fuel tank. At the time of the accident, sufficient fuel remained in another fuel tank, but for reasons that could not be determined, the pilot failed to change the fuel selector in due time.