Ambulance Helicopter Accident Throws Light on Rescue Service Challenges under Adverse Conditions

The Safety In­ves­ti­ga­tion Au­thor­ity of Fin­land (SIAF) has com­pleted an in­ves­ti­ga­tion into a he­li­copter ac­ci­dent that oc­curred on Fiskö Is­land in the mu­nic­i­pal­ity of Brandö in the Åland is­lands on Feb­ru­ary 12, 2022. On a mis­sion to pick up a pa­tient who had sus­tained in­jury in a falling ac­ci­dent on an icy yard, an am­bu­lance he­li­copter be­gan to slide af­ter set­down and struck a boat shed. It sus­tained sub­stan­tial dam­age, and one crew mem­ber was slightly in­jured.

“Winter conditions were a factor in this accident; however, many helicopter operations, especially search and rescue and emergency medical service missions, are conducted in winter. We reviewed those close calls that have been reported between 2016 and 2020 in which slippery conditions were identified as a factor. To that end, we have recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency informs helicopter operators of a need to fit slide stoppers on the landing skids for operations in winter and under slippery conditions. After all, we also change the tires of our cars to prepare for slippery conditions…,” muses investigator-in-charge Janne Kotiranta.

While the probe was ongoing, the investigators learned that the ambulance helicopter operator had decided to fit slide stoppers to all skid landing gear -equipped helicopters during the fall of 2022.

The investigation also threw light on regional challenges to rescue services in Åland. Rescue services there are managed by the region’s municipalities and the province is divided into two rescue service areas for operational command and control. The Government of Åland is under the Rescue Act for the Region of Åland responsible for the direction and oversight of rescue services in the region.

“The mission of the SIAF is to enhance safety in general and prevent the occurrence of further accidents and hazardous situations. How our recommendations are implemented depends on the actions of their recipients. Of course, we are ready to discuss our recommendations and are happy to see that about seventy percent of them are heeded. Cooperation is the key. Åland’s local Government is under the law responsible for the overall direction and oversight of rescue services in the region, for which purpose adequate resources are needed. The investigation revealed that the division of Åland into two rescue service areas may lead to situations where a person is deprived of assistance from the nearest suitable rescue unit,” explains Kotiranta.

The SIAF also recommends that the Government of Åland takes action to ensure that location information is transmitted in emergency calls and the 112 Suomi application is enabled across Åland. This is currently not the case. Expeditious location is conducive to providing best possible assistance to people in distress, both Åland residents and visitors.

At the time of the release of the report, the Government of Åland and Finland’s Ministry of the Interior are investigating means of integrating the mainland Finland Erica data system and the Åland’s regional Ålarm emergency response system. Investigation is also underway for enabling a non operator-dependent emergency location function in Åland during 2023.

Further information

Investigator-in-charge Janne Kotiranta, tel. 02951 50703

For information in Swedish, contact investigation team member Knut Lehtinen +358 50 328 1543 (on 28 February 2023 1-3pm (UCT+2).