You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Wednesday 28 February 2024 |
| Time: | c 14:10 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV |
| Owner/operator: | Sermeq Helicopters AS |
| Registration: | OY-HIO |
| MSN: | 52280 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2003 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Skovfjord, 13km SE of Narsaq, Kujalleq -
 Greenland
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Narsarsuaq Airport (UAK/BGBW) |
| Qaqortoq Heliport (JJU/BGJH) | |
| Investigating agency: | HCLJ |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot of a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV activated the emergency floats after a technical malfunction and made a forced landing on a beach of the Skovfjord, 13km southeast of Narsaq, Kujalleq.
He was not injured and rescued by a SAR helicopter of Air Greenland and airlifted to a hospital in Qaqortoq out of precaution. The helicopter received substantial damage.
Conclusions:
En route, liberation of an anti-rotation tab from a thrust plate at engine bearing no. 8 resulted in a total engine power loss and, consequently, an autorotation over water.
Prior to ditching, the pilot activated the float system. However, the LH aft float did not inflate, resulting in the helicopter rolling over onto its left side upon ditching.
The likely reason for the LH aft float not inflating was frozen water in the supply line to the LH aft float.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://sermitsiaq.gl/forulykket-helikopter-bugseret-land
https://sermitsiaq.ag/bekraeftethelikopter-styrtet-i-havet-ved-narsaq
https://ekstrabladet.dk/krimi/dansk-mand-reddet-efter-helikopterstyrt-i-groenland/10145699
https://aerossurance.com/helicopters/engine-emergency-flotation-failures-greenland-b206l4-ditching/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/98880902@N03/48817057481/in/photostream/lightbox/ (photo)
https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/politiet-om-styrtet-helikopter-noedlanding-skyldes-motoren-gik-ud
History of this aircraft
Ex N265AL
Location
Media:
A tiny loose turbine bearing tang triggers an autorotation but frozen water in a hose caused the EFS to malfunction. SB/ICA changes for engine and EFS. aerossurance.com/helicopters/... #helicopter #aviationsafety #flightsafety #airworthiness #survivability
— Aerossurance (@aerossurance.bsky.social) April 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
[image or embed]
A tiny loose turbine bearing tang triggers an autorotation but frozen water in a hose caused the EFS to malfunction. SB/ICA changes for engine and EFS. aerossurance.com/helicopters/... #helicopter #aviationsafety #flightsafety #airworthiness #survivability
— Aerossurance (@aerossurance.bsky.social) April 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
[image or embed]
A tiny loose turbine bearing tang triggers an autorotation but frozen water in a hose caused the EFS to malfunction. SB/ICA changes for engine and EFS. https://t.co/dtTRfRyqxV #helicopter #aviationsafety #flightsafety #airworthiness #survivability pic.twitter.com/qn4YNiZVay
— Aerossurance (@Aerossurance) April 21, 2025
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 29-Feb-2024 08:25 | RobertMB | Added |
| 29-Feb-2024 17:19 | Knud Rosing | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Source, Damage, ] |
| 29-Feb-2024 17:19 | ASN | Updated [Aircraft type, Cn, ] |
| 29-Feb-2024 20:57 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Location, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 01-Mar-2024 07:53 | Knud Rosing | Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, ] |
| 05-Mar-2025 14:34 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, Accident report, ] |
| 21-Apr-2025 06:32 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Source, ] |
| 21-Apr-2025 13:26 | Aerossurance | Updated [Embed code, ] |
| 21-Apr-2025 13:30 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Embed code, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation