Report on air accident near Søvatnet lake in Bjugn in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway on 10 august 2012 - Cessna 172RG, D-EIYL
Aviation report 2013/16 eng
A German light aircraft was en route from Lofoten to Trondheim with three people on board. The flight was to be conducted in accordance with the visual flight rules (VFR) but, in Nord-Trøndelag county, the aircraft entered an area of reduced visibility. The aircraft was observed flying low over hilly terrain where the highest peaks were shrouded in fog. One witness heard the engine noise increase and saw the aircraft climb until it crashed about half way up the steep terrain at the southern end of Søvatnet lake in Bjugn municipality. The occupants were fatally injured in the accident. The aircraft was destroyed. The AIBN has concluded that this was a weather-related accident. The flight continued into an area with marginal weather conditions instead of turning in due time. The investigation has shown that the air traffic services informed the commander that there was poor visibility along the coast, and better conditions further inland. No request for assistance or distress call was registered from the aircraft at any time. The AIBN issues one safety recommendation in this report.
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation SL No. 2013/05T
At one time, between two METARs, visibility dropped from more than 10 km to 2 000 metres without this being reflected in published observations. When METARs are issued every half hour, there is no requirement for a SPECI to be issued even in the event of significantly reduced visibility. Delays in communicating information are unfortunate in a country such as Norway, where the weather changes rapidly due to the topographical conditions.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority considers whether the aviation weather service provisions should be amended to include requirements for faster announcement of significant weather changes.
Facts
| Location | Near Søvatnet in Bjugn, Sør-Trøndelag |
| Occurrence date | 10.08.2012 |
| Aircraft | Cessna 172 Skyhawk |
| Registration | D-EIYL |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Sør-Trøndelag |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Private (club) |
| Category of operation | Light, aeroplane (< 5 700kg) |
| Aircraft category | Landplane, Single-engine, Piston engine |
| FIR/AOR | ENBD (Bodø ATCC) |