Alcohol presumably involved in 2015 accident
Feb 12, 2016
Several news magazines, including Swedish Norrbottens-Kuriren and Norwegian iTromsø, reports that the pilot involved in the 2015 Reisadalen accident is suspected of flying under the influence of alcohol.
The accident occurred on 15 August last year, as the EC 120 helicopter was en-route from Alta (Norway) to Kiruna (Sweden). When passing near Reisadalen in Troms County (northern Norway), the helicopter had a hard landing. The pilot was airlifted to hospital due to back pain. His blood alcohol concentration was checked a few hours after the accident, and it read 2,29 per mille. It has not, however, been established whether the alcohol was consumed prior or after the accident.
The Norwegian Nord-Troms District Court will now handle the case. The cause of the accident itself is unknown at this time, but it is currently under investigation by the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board.