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Report on aviation incident over Geirangerfjord in More and Romsdal, Norway, on 29 August 2025 involving Airbus Helicopter EC130B4, LN-ODZ and Grumman American AA-5A, LN-KLC

Aviation report 2026/01

The helicopter, operated by Fjord Helikopter was climbing towards 3,000 feet while flying in direction out the Geirangerfjord. At the same time the airplane maintained 3,000 feet flying opposite direction in the same fjord. The pilots had chosen different radio frequencis for flying outside controlled airspace and was not aware of each other. At 200–400 meters distance, and about 200 feet vertical separation, the pilots became visual of each other and both made evasive maneouvers.

The helicopter was on a sightseeing flight with passengers. It took off form Ørjaseter just above Geiranger, and flew out the  Geirangerfjord in direction Hellesylt. The pilot used the GA-frequency and monitored the ATC frequency for controlled airspace above. 

The airplane had been flying from Ålesund airport Vigra (ENAL) and was flying in the opposite direction and about same altitude as the helicopter in Geirangerfjorden. The pilot had been flying under Møre TMA all the way and used the radio frequency for Møre APP. He did not use the MON-function for monitoring another frequency.

Because the pilots used different radio frequencies they were not aware of each other before they eventually made visual contact.

The investigation shows that no rules were broken, but the incident happened because of different practices outside controlled airspace. NSIA recommends the use of electronic conspicutiy and measures for securing that everyone use the same frequency in this area.

This report is in Norwegian only.

Published 07.01.2026

Safety recommendation

Safety recommendation Aviation no. 2026/01T

During a sightseeing-flight on 29 August 2025 outside controlled airspace above the Geirangerfjord, an Airbus EC130B4, LN-ODZ, operated by Fjord Helikopter AS, and a privately owned aircraft, Grumman American AA-5A, LN-KLC, came too close. NSIA’s assessment is that the incident was a result of lack of situational awareness due to different practices for choice of radio frequency.
 
The Geirangerfjord area has occasionally heavy traffic of Norwegian and foreign, private and commercial, helicopters and planes. In addition, military high-speed aircraft is often observed in the area. Use of the same frequency will result in improved situational awareness and higher probability for the pilots to know about other traffic.
 
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the CAA-Norway considers introducing suitable measures to ensure that air traffic outside controlled airspace in the Geirangerfjord area uses the same radio frequency.

Facts

Location Geirangerfjorden, Stranda municipality, More and Romsdal county, Norway
Occurrence date 29.08.2025
Aircraft Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 / American AA-5
Operator Fjord Helikopter AS / Private
Registration LN-ODZ, LN-KLC
Meteorological conditions VMC
County Møre og Romsdal
Type of occurrence Incident
Type of operation Commercial, other / Private
Category of operation Light, helicopter (<= 2 250kg) / Light, aeroplane (< 5 700kg)
Aircraft category Helicopter, Landplane, Single-engine, Piston engine, Turboprop/turboshaft

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Report on aviation incident over Geirangerfjord in More and Romsdal, Norway, on 29 August 2025 involving Airbus Helicopter EC130B4, LN-ODZ and Grumman American AA-5A, LN-KLC