A Bristow helicopter had all four main rotor blades “destroyed” after hitting the roof of a parked truck, it has emerged.
The accident took place at Stavanger Airport last July, while major construction work was ongoing, according to safety watchdog the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN).
The Sikorsky S-92 was taxiing on a helicopter apron when the rotor blades struck the stationary lorry parked at the side of the runway.
All the main blades were destroyed by the contact, with the top of the truck also being sliced open by the spinning edges.
Two people suffered what the AIBN described as “minor injuries”.
The safety watchdog’s investigation identified several factors that contributed to the aviation accident.
There was ongoing construction work at the airport and failings were identified on behalf of airport owner Avinor AS, Avinor’s main contractor and subcontractor in the project “New sites for helicopters,” as well as helicopter operator Bristow Norway AS.
The truck had been placed “too close” to the taxiway the night before by the airport authorities.
However, before the incident another 18 helicopters had passeed the truck and “should” have observed its proximity, according to a supplementary follow up by Bristow.
AIBN considers that both Avinor AS and Bristow Norway AS has implemented many measures after the accident in order to prevent new incidents – therefore no new safety recommendations have been made.
