Report on an aviation incident at Heggjabygda, Stad Municipality, Vestland County, on 23 March 2026 involving an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3, LN-OVB, operated by Fjord Helikopter AS

ON Linje AS was responsible for the installation work. This was the first day of the project involving installation activities carried out in cooperation between ON Linje and Fjord Helikopter. The mast was rigged using a shackle and a lifting sling. An ON Linje installer attached the load to the hook on the longline. The pilot waited to lift the helicopter until the task specialist had moved over to the installer to monitor that the sling was correctly attached to the cargo hook. This was done as a safety measure because the pilot had not personally reviewed this procedure with the installer and was therefore uncertain whether it could be carried out correctly and safely. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) considers this an important safety measure, consistent with findings from the Inland Helicopter Safety Study II, which highlights the importance of effective cooperation between contractors and helicopter operators.

Prior to the load becoming detached, the pilot experienced the mast oscillating in a manner that was difficult to control. When the mast was located, the sling was found to be intact and still attached to the mast. No defects were found in the hook.

The occurrence appears to have happened because the lifting sling twisted out of the cargo hook. NSIA issues no safety recommendations but encourages continued awareness of load attachment methods and of potential weaknesses associated with certain types of cargo hooks.

This report is in Norwegian only. No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investigation. 

Published 18.08.2026