Wideroe - Wideroe's Flyveselskap

De Havilland DHC-8-100 (Dash-8)

Widerøe flight WIF 921 took off from Tromsø airport (ENTC) at time 1401 with an estimated landing time at Hammerfest airport (ENHF) 1442. On board the aircraft, a DHC-8-103 with registration LN-WIK, were a crew of two pilots and one cabin attendant, 26 fare paying passengers and one passive cabin attendant. The crew had taken off from ENHF earlier in the day, when the weather and wind did not cause any problems. During the approach to ENHF the crew was informed about variable and occasional gusty wind from south-east. The wind direction favoured runway 23 and the crew planned the landing accordingly. The copilot was Pilot Flying (PF) and the commander was Pilot Not Flying (PNF). The copilot was newly hired and was flying under supervision. The crew was kept updated on the wind conditions by the AFIS operator, and at times the gusty wind conditions favoured runway 05. The copilot left the control to the commander who continued the approach to runway 05. Just before landing the wind direction veered to the right and increased in strength, resulting in a significant tail wind component. This resulted in a marked increase in the descent rate which the commander tried to stop by advancing to full power. However, the altitude was too low and the airplane touched down hard just inside the runway edge on runway 05. At touch down the right main landing gear leg failed. The airplane slid on the belly, right partly retracted main wheel and wing tip for some 650 m, and stopped just after the second (TWY B) turnoff to the apron. The fire and rescue vehicles were quickly at the scene and sprayed foam on the plane to prevent fire. The cabin attendant calmed the passengers who wanted to get out of the plane quickly due to smoke and burned smell in the cabin. It took 33 seconds from the commander ordered evacuation until this was initiated. The delay was mainly caused by the fact that the order did not get through the cabin’s Public Address (PA) system.

De Havilland DHC-8-100 (Dash-8)

The twin engine aircraft departed Alta Airport at 1522LT on a regular schedule service to Båtsfjord, carrying 24 passengers and a crew of three. Following an uneventful flight, the crew started a LOC/DME approach to runway 21. Shortly after passing the missed approach point, the pilot-in-command lost visual contact with the runway so the captain took over controls and continued the approach. The airplane became unstable and the crew encountered control problems due to difficulties to disengage the autopilot system. This caused the aircraft to lose height during the last segment and it landed hard, causing the right main gear to collapse upon impact. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres then veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area 23 metres to the right of the runway. All 27 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

On approach to Namsos Airport by night, the crew encountered poor visibility due to rain falls. In below weather minima, the crew descended below the minimum safe altitude until the aircraft struck the ground and crashed in a swampy area located about 6 km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed on impact and six occupants including both pilots were killed. All 13 other occupants were injured.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Less than two minutes after takeoff from Værøy Airport runway 25, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft banked left then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea in a near vertical attitude about 1,8 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. When the crew started to roll at the airport, the wind was gusting to 57 knots which was 7 knots above the maximum allowable limit for ground operations. After takeoff, the aircraft encountered wind gusting to 34 knots which was 14 knots above the maximum allowable limit for flight operations. Excessive wind component caused the stabilizers/elevator to fail, causing the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled descent and to crash in the sea.

De Havilland DHC-7 (Dash-7)

Widerøe flight 710 took off from Trondheim (TRD), Norway, at 19:23 local time on a domestic light to Namsos (OSY), Brønnøysund (BNN), Sandnessjøen (SSJ) and Bodø Airport (BOO). The flight to Namsos was uneventful. The aircraft took off from Namsos at 20:07 and contacted Trondheim ACC six minutes later, stating that they were climbing from FL70 to FL90. At 20:20 the crew began their descent for Brønnøysund and switched frequencies to Brønnøysund AFIS. Weather reported at Brønnøysund was: wind 220°/05 kts, visibility 9 km, 3/8 stratus at 600 feet and 6/8 at 1000 feet, temperature +6 C, QNH 1022 MB. The crew executed a VOR/DME approach to Brønnøysund's runway 04, followed by a circle for landing on runway 22. The crew left the prescribed altitude 4 NM early. The aircraft descended until it flew into the Torghatten hillside at 560 feet. A retired police officer reported in July 2013 that a passenger had taken a mobile phone on board. The police officer disembarked the plane at Namsos, a stop-over and reported that the passenger with the mobile phone was seated in the cockpits jump-seat. After the accident, he reported this fact to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC). After reading the investigation report during the 25th anniversary of the accident, he noticed that there was no mention of the mobile phone. NMT 450 network-based mobiles at the time were fitted with a 15-watt transmitter and a powerful battery which could lead to disruption in electronic equipment. The Norwegian AIB conducted an investigation to determine if electronic interference from the mobile phone might have affected the flight instruments. The AIB concluded that there was no evidence to support the theory that there was any kind of interference.

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

The twin engine airplane departed Kirkenes on a regular schedule service (flight WF933) to Alta with intermediate stops in Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn and Honningsvåg. The aircraft departed Berlevåg Airport at 1319LT and the crew reported to Mehamn Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) at 1322 that he was at an altitude of 2,000 feet over the Tanafjord with an ETA in Mehamn at 1333LT. Mehamn AFIS called flight 933 at 1335 but did not receive any answer. As the aircraft failed to arrive in Mehamn, SAR operations were initiated. The wreckage was located two days later in the Tanafjord mouth, at a depth of 40 meters, about 6 km southeast of Gamvik. All 15 occupants were killed.

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

The aircraft on amphibious floats departed from Tromso at 1015 hours for a scheduled flight to Harstad. In addition to the pilot, a company mechanic was on board as an assistant and there were three passengers. The weather was not good, with low cloud, heavy snow showers and reduced visibility. Due to the conditions, the pilot elected to divert from the track laid out in the company's route manual. This change of route however was not reported to air traffic control because of poor radio coverage at low altitude. This is a very rugged coastal area with numerous fjords and inlets amidst mountains rising to four thousand feet. As the Otter flew in on the west side of Rossfjord, some 45 kilometres south-west of Tromso, visibility dropped and the pilot said to his assistant “We'll cut across here, I know this area” and started a right turn. Eye witness reports put the aircraft at this time at between 100 feet and 25 feet above the ice-covered fjord, although the pilot was later to claim he was flying at 500 feet. Immediately after starting the turn, the right wingtip and float made contact with the ground. The aircraft was thrown to the left at the first impact and crashed at a 35 degree angle to its direction of travel. It caught fire and was burnt to destruction. All five occupants survived the crash but one passenger and the pilot's assistant suffered severe burns and were flown by helicopter to hospital in Tromso. Source: https://www.dhc-3archive.com

Noorduyn Norseman

Upon landing onto the bay off Novika, the single engine overturned and came to rest near the shore. The pilot and all passengers evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.

Noorduyn Norseman

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Alta. All seven occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The Dakota crashed for unknown reasons while taking off from Oslo-Fornebu Airport. Eight occupants were injured while ten others were unhurt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Noorduyn Norseman

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the harbor of Bodø. There were no casualties.

Noorduyn Norseman

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Hansnes. There were no casualties but the aircraft sank and was lost.

Noorduyn Norseman

Caught fire shortly after takeoff and crashed in flames. Occupant fate remains unknown. The aircraft was destroyed.

Noorduyn Norseman

The single engine aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Vadsø to Alta, with two passengers (among them a Norwegian Army Lieutenant) and two pilots. While trying to land near Lake Gavnevann, the aircraft hit the ground, overturned and came to rest upside down. All four occupants were rescued few hours later and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Source: http://blhf.org/?id=1332008581

Bellanca 31-40 Senior Pacemaker

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Waco

Crashed in unknown circumstances.

Stinson SR-9 Reliant

The single engine aircraft was engaged in a local sightseeing flight in Oslo, carrying four passengers and one pilot. En route, the aircraft suffered an explosion and crashed in the Oslo harbour. All five occupants were killed, among them Arild Wideroe, co-founder of the company.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Lillestrøm. The passenger was killed while the pilot was injured.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Nærsnes, injuring both occupants. Aircraft was destroyed.

Waco

Crashed on takeoff. Occupant fate unknown.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crash landed in Apalløka, in the northeast suburb of Oslo. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Jaren, while performing a flight from Oslo. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.