Hughes 500D crash near Follebu, Norway

A First European Aviation Company Hughes 500D (SE-JVJ, manufactured 1982) was conducting power line surveying for Eidsiva Nett using laser scanning near Follebu, Norway. After 52 minutes of flight, the pilot noticed unusual vibrations increasing in intensity with a metallic noise. While attempting an emergency landing at 2-3 metres height, the helicopter lost all power to the rotor system due to a fracture of the input shaft stub in the main gearbox caused by fatigue cracking. The helicopter struck the ground, collapsing the right skid and the tail hit the ground. Both crew were uninjured but the helicopter sustained major damage. The SHK could not determine why the fatigue developed.