Report on aviation accident at Seines near Bodø, Norway on 12 November 1977 with Sikorsky S-58ET, LN-OSD
Aviation report 1979/03
On 12 November 1977 the helicopter LN-OSD took off from Bodø with a crew of two. The purpose of the flight was that the co-pilot should conduct periodic flight training with the commander as a controller. When the training was complete, and on the way back to Bodø, engine no. 1 experienced problems and the helicopter was not able to continue the flight. The helicopter hit the ground hard, was destroyed, and a fire broke out. Both occupants received serious fracture and sprain injuries, but survived.
The investigation has revealed that the drivetrain system of engine no. 1 has had a technical failure with accompanying loss of effect. A fracture was found on the gear axle of engine no. 1. More than 50 % of the axle area had a pre-existing fatigue fracture. Just before the engine failure engine no. 1 was at a high power output while engine no. 2 was idle. The high power output and load on engine no. 1 probably led to the axle fracture.
Due to the low altitude of the helicopter, there was not enough time to spool up engine no. 2 to required performance for continued flight. This led to an emergency landing under unfavourable conditions.
Published 09.03.1979
Facts
| Location | Seine near Bodø, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 12.11.1977 |
| Aircraft | Sikorsky øvrige |
| Registration | LN-OSD |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Nordland |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Commercial, other |
| Category of operation | Heavy, helicopter (> 2 250kg) |
| Aircraft category | Helicopter, Multi-engine |
| FIR/AOR | ENBD (Bodø ATCC) |