Description

On 15 March 2012, a Lockheed-Martin C130J-30 Hercules being operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force on a positioning transport flight from Harstad/Narvik Airport, Norway to Kiruna, Sweden flew into the side of the highest mountain in Sweden near its summit shortly after crossing the Swedish border and making a daylight descent to FL070 which took it into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) in uncontrolled airspace. The aircraft was immediately destroyed by the violent impact, consequent explosion and fire and all five occupants were killed.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Swedish AIB. The DFDR and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were recovered and their data successfully downloaded and recorded radar data was also gathered and used. The ELT did not transmit and was found to have sustained major damage at impact. It was found that the response on the ground to the accident had been “characterised by very good access to resources from both Sweden and abroad” and noted that “operations lasted for a relatively long time and were carried out under extreme weather conditions in difficult alpine terrain”. However, the Investigation did identify “the importance of further developing management, collaboration and training (in respect of response to remote area accidents) in several areas”.