What happened
On 11 January 2010, a private flight involving a Robinson R44 helicopter, registration SE-JGA, was traveling toward a private landing platform at Torsnäsudd on Ornö island. The flight began at Bromma airport under favorable weather conditions. However, after passing through a patch of sea mist, the pilot encountered a dense fog bank that obscured all external visual references.
In an attempt to avoid flying into nearby trees or higher terrain while disoriented, the pilot decided to descend toward the water'-surface to re-establish a visual reference. Because the fog was extremely thick, the pilot failed to see the water surface before the skids and rotor disk made contact with the sea. The impact caused the helicopter to shudder and eventually settle on its right side in the water. The pilot successfully activated the emergency floats, which allowed the aircraft to remain buoyant. After exiting the overturned aircraft, the pilot was able to call for emergency services via mobile phone. A rescue hovercraft eventually located and rescued the pilot, who suffered from hypothermia but sustained no other injuries.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (SHK) examined the flight history, meteorological data, and the physical condition of the aircraft. The investigation included a technical review of the Robinson R44's damage, which included deformed rotor blades, a fractured tail boom, and a fractured tail rotor drive shaft. Investigators also reviewed weather forecasts and reports from the time of the accident to determine the visibility and cloud base conditions in the Stockholm archipelago.