Accident report after ditched R44 released
Sep 19, 2011
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has published its final report after an accident that occurred on 11 January 2010 at Ornö (Stockholm), involving a helicopter with the registration SE-JGA.
The aircraft, a Robinson R44 Clipper, was performing a private winter flight to Ornö Island in Stockholm’s southern archipelago when it crashed in the water due to the loss of references. The pilot, who was the only person onboard, had noticed some sea smoke (shallow fog over the water) near Dalarö, and as he continued he ended up in heavy fog. He tried to turn away from the fog and to descend towards the water in order to resume the visual references and keep clear of the surrounding terrain. However, the helicopter ended up hitting the surface of the water and turned over. The pilot, who managed to engage the floats, was able to evacuate the helicopter, get up onto the belly of the inverted aircraft and alert the rescue service. He was picked up by one of the Swedish Sea Rescue Society's hovercrafts after 25 minutes.
The Investigation Board has determined that the accident was caused by the fact that the VFR flight was planned and executed in a manner that led to the loss of visual metrological conditions.