Regarding the accident involving a MV-22B Osprey near Bodø, Norway on 18 March 2022

The aircraft hit the terrain in Gråtadalen, Reinfjellryggen during the winter exercise Cold Response 2022. The Norwegian rescue services has informed that they were scrambled at 1826 hrs local time and that the aircraft was later located from air at 2117 hrs. Due to bad weather the rescue helicopter could not land nor launch personnel at the site. Bad weather and danger of avalanche in the area made it impossible for the NSIA, the police and U.S personnel to start documenting the accident area until Sunday 20 March. The NSIA has later been at the accident site together with the U.S. forces investigation team and ensured transfer of information.

 NSIA has been ensured that the U.S. forces safety investigation will solely have an accident prevention purpose and that the principles of NATO STANAG 3531 will be applied. This also implies that the Norwegian Armed Forces will have a representative in the investigation. This will ensure both sharing of safety relevant information and the continued support and assistance to complete the investigation. The NSIA further expect that adequate information is made available to the Norwegian public.

Based on this, the NSIA decides not to investigate the accident cf. Act of 16 December 2016 No 92 relating to the investigation of accidents and incidents in the Norwegian Armed Forces section 12 3rd paragraph.

Gråtådalen. Reinfjellryggen to the right. The impact area shown with an arrow. Photo: NSIA

Impact area. Photo: NSIA