Report on air accident in Verdal in Trøndelag County on 1 November 2022 involving an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B3, LN-OBP operated by Midtnorsk Helikopterservice AS
Aviation report 2023/09
On Tuesday 1 November 2022 around 10:30 hrs the helicopter LN-OBP crashed shortly after take-off. The NSIA believes that the accident occurred due to the loss of visual references in the transition from vertical to horizontal flight. The inland helicopter segment has an over representation in the Norwegian accident statistics compared to other commercial aviation. The investigation has found that the organisation of the company, which was approved by the CAA Norway, entailed a significant risk of deficient operational control. The investigation has revealed that it is challenging for the CAA Norway to perform risk based oversight activities of the inland helicopter segment.
To be an air operator it is required that certain positions are filled. These requirements are regulated by EASA. Together, the various roles must contribute to ensuring that the intention of the regulations, and thus the expected safety, is achieved, among other things, by collectively contributing to a good safety net and safety management. The commander held several of these positions in addition to being an active pilot and the main shareholder of the company. The investigation has also found that the company’s operational control was deficient, and this is seen among others in relation to the organisation of the company which was approved by the CAA Norway.
When the CAA Norway approve organisations where individuals are granted several roles, the NSIA expects that it is aware that the safety margins might be reduced. Given that the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority's oversight activities are risk-based, such an organisation will require the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority to adapt the oversight activities of these helicopter operators to ensure that safety is safeguarded. The NSIA has not found information that indicates that this has been the case. This investigation has revealed that the CAA Norway is aware of this challenge, but has not necessarily positioned itself to be able to handle it.
Published 05.12.2023
Safety recommendation
Safety Recommendation Aviation No. 2023/06T
The air accident in Verdal on 1 November 2022 happened when the pilot lost visual references due to the fog. The investigation has found that the organisation of the company, which was approved by the CAA Norway, entailed a significant risk of deficient operational control. The investigation has revealed that it is challenging for the CAA Norway to perform risk based oversight activities of the inland helicopter segment. It is presumed that the Norwegian Ministry of Transport in their agency and enterprise management dialogue ensures that CAA Norway show that they have enough resources to be able to properly oversee the inland helicopter segment, seen in conjunction with the over representation the segment has in the accident statistics.
The NSIA recommends the Ministry of Transport to review which resources are required to perform risk based oversight activities of the inland helicopter segment with subsequent actions and follow-up plan.
Facts
| Location | Verdal, Trøndelag, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 01.11.2022 |
| Aircraft | Airbus Helicopter AS 350 B3 Ecureuil |
| Operator | Midtnorsk helikopterservice AS |
| Registration | LN-OBP |
| County | Trøndelag |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Commercial, other |
| Category of operation | Light, helicopter (<= 2 250kg) |
| Aircraft category | Helicopter, Single-engine |
| FIR/AOR | ENBD (Bodø ATCC) |