Report on incident near Lagovaggi, Nordland county 21 September 2015 with Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3, LN-OGL
Aviation report 2015/13
On 21 September 2015 the helicopter should conduct a flight with an underslung sensor probe on behalf of NGU (Geological Survey of Norway). The probe was hanging approximately 30 meters below the helicopter. During the flight, the underslung equipment caught a power line. The commander chose to drop the load to ensure that he did not lose control of the helicopter. The helicopter was not exposed to any damages.
AIBN has in its investigation found that the commander had a very high workload during the flight due to large differences in terrain elevation. The flight was challenging due to the fact that the height above the terrain should be within certain criterias, and that the helicopter should follow a predefined track with high precision. AIBN is of the opinion that these elements have been contributing factors causing the helicopter to come too close to the power line.
In retrospect, the helicopter company and NGU made changes on equipment and procedures on board, so that NGU's equipment operator and the commander has the same electronic information available. In addition, obstacles along the planned track are entered into the program that is used for navigation.
This report is in Norwegian only.
No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investigation.
Facts
| Location | Lagovaggi, Nordland county, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 21.09.2015 |
| Aircraft | Airbus Helicopter AS 350 B3 Ecureuil |
| Registration | LN-OGL |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Nordland |
| Type of occurrence | Serious incident |
| Type of operation | Commercial, other |
| Category of operation | Light, helicopter (<= 2 250kg) |
| Aircraft category | Helicopter, Single-engine, Turboprop/turboshaft |
| FIR/AOR | ENOB (Bodø FIC/OFIR) |