Report on helicopter accident at Stavanger airport, Sola, Norway 5 July 2016, with Sikorsky S-92A, LN-OND, operated by Bristow Norway AS
Aviation report 2017/09
During taxiing to a helicopter stand on apron 7, the helicopter's main rotor blades hit the side of a parked truck. All four main rotor blades were damaged. Two persons, staying inside and by the truck, were lightly injured. During this investigation, Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) has uncovered several factors which contributed to the accident. There was construction work in progress and contributing factors are found among the parties involved, i.e. Avinor AS (airport owner and owner of project “New helicopter stands”), project main contractor and subcontractor, and helicopter operator Bristow Norway AS. In general, the AIBN believes that lack of project specific risk analysis lead to a lack of specific guidelines on how to handle the risk factors. AIBN misses safeguarding of safety distance from taxiing helicopters, plans for parking of vehicle and equipment, plans for closing off construction areas, and role clarifications for the personnel involved. Furthermore, several of the instructions in the handbook for Airside safety were not followed, which contributed to the accident.
Heavy white and red concrete blocks where placed along the asphalt edge at new helicopter stand where the truck was wrongly parked. The position of the blocks seemingly indicated a safety barrier when they in reality did not have an active function. This may have contributed to misunderstandings and causing people not to perceive or report the safety critical conditions.
As the involved parties have implemented several corrective measures after this accident to prevent similar occurrences, no safety recommendations are issued.
Facts
| Location | Stavanger airport, Sola, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 05.07.2016 |
| ICAO Location indicator | ENZV |
| Aircraft | Sikorsky øvrige |
| Operator | Bristow Norway AS |
| Registration | LN-OND |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Rogaland |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Offshore |
| Category of operation | Heavy, helicopter (> 2 250kg) |
| Aircraft category | Helicopter, Multi-engine, Turboprop/turboshaft |
| FIR/AOR | ENSV (Stavanger ATCC) |