Report on aviation accident at Seterfjellet, Alta, Finnmark on 20 May 2024 with Robinson Helicopter R44 Raven II, LN-OBN
Aviation report 2025/04
The helicopter LN-OBN was involved in an accident on Monday 20 May 2024. The accident occurred in connection with a transfer flight to Kjeller Airport for annual maintenance. The NSIA believes that the helicopter, while making a right turn back to Alta due to bad weather, was hit by mechanical turbulence and severe downwinds that exceeded the helicopter's flight capabilities.
After approximately 15 minutes of flight, as the helicopter approached Seterfjellet south of Alta, visibility became so poor that the commander decided to turn around. When the pilot turned around, the helicopter entered the leeward side of Seterfjellet where it was hit by mechanical turbulence and downwinds. The downwinds were so strong that they exceeded the helicopter's flight capabilities. The helicopter's altitude and performance were not sufficient to avoid an accident.
The flight took place over mountains in winter conditions and without rescue equipment or warm clothing. Mobilephone coverage, the rescue service's short response time and the ability to seek shelter in the helicopter wreckage contributed to the people not becoming life-threateningly hypothermic. The crash-protected fuel system together with limited energy in the impact contributed to the fact that no fire broke out.
There were no serious injuries in the accident.
This report is in Norwegian only.
No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investigation.
Published 27.02.2025
Facts
| Location | Seterfjellet, Alta municipality, Finnmark county, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 20.05.2024 |
| Aircraft | Robinson R44 |
| Operator | Private |
| Registration | LN-OBN |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Finnmark |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Private |
| Category of operation | Light, helicopter (<= 2 250kg) |
| Aircraft category | Helicopter |
| FIR/AOR | ENOB (Bodø FIC/OFIR) |