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Safety recommendation SL No. 2020/03T
The helicopter accident with Mil MI 8AMT RA-22312 in Isfjorden on 26 October 2017 occurred when approaching Heerodden. The AIBN's investigation found that the Convers Avia Airlines JSC organization at “Barentsburg” landing site at Heerodden had developed deviations in relation to the airline's procedures and standards, despite the fact that the base is subject to quarterly internal audits.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that Convers Avia Airlines JSC conducts a systematic audit of the company’s organization at “Barentsburg” landing site at Heerodden and implements measures to achieve an expected good safety standard.
Safety recommendation SL No. 2020/04T
The helicopter accident with Mil MI 8AMT RA-22312 in Isfjorden on 26 October 2017 occurred when approaching Heerodden. The AIBN's investigation found that the airline’s organization at the “Barentsburg” landing site at Heerodden had developed deviations in relation to the airline's procedures and standards, despite the fact that the base is subject to quarterly internal audits.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the State Civilian Aviation Authority – SCAA ensure that Convers Avia Airlines JSC conducts a systematic audit, and defines expected safety standard and implements measures to obtain the expected good safety standard.
Safety recommendation SL No. 2020/05T
The helicopter accident with Mil MI 8AMT RA-22312 in Isfjorden on 26 October 2017 occurred when approaching Heerodden. No one on board used survival suits nor were they wearing life vests. The helicopter was not equipped with liferaft nor emergency floats. Today's national regulations do not set requirements for such emergency equipment for multi-engine helicopters when flying more than 10 minutes from the coastline. For single-engine aircraft, there is a requirement for such equipment when flying more than 3 minutes from the coastline. The AIBN's investigation shows the need for an extension of the existing regulatory requirements to also apply to multi-engine helicopters.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Civil Aviation Authority Norway extend the national regulations so that requirements are set for the use of adequate emergency equipment for all types of helicopters in mountains and desolate areas and on Svalbard. In addition, emergency floats should be used on helicopters when flying over sea irrespective of distance to the coastline on Svalbard.
Safety recommendation SL No. 2020/06T
The helicopter accident with Mil MI 8AMT RA-22312 in Isfjorden on 26 October 2017 near Heerodden, occurred during weather conditions that were reported to be significantly lower than the published weather minima for “Barentsburg” landing site at Heerodden. Convers Avia Airlines JSC allowed only VFR flights on Svalbard. In the demanding weather and at dusk, the pilots lost their visual references and subsequently lost control of the helicopter. Both rapidly changing weather and light conditions are risk factors that indicate the need to be able to fly according to instrument rules. The AIBN sees the need for all helicopter operations that take place during the polar night on Svalbard to be made with helicopters and crews capable of flying according to instrument flight rules.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends the Civil Aviation Authority Norway to extend its regulations to helicopter operations on Svalbard that take place during the polar night to be adapted for instrument flight based for instance on GNSS PinS operations.
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