Bell 206L-1 crash near Vuoggatjålme, Sweden

An Arctic Air Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II (SE-JOA, manufactured 1980) was conducting reindeer herding operations in Norrbotten County. After takeoff with approximately 100 litres of fuel, the helicopter began experiencing yaw disturbances at 25 metres altitude and then lost rotor RPM and lift. The pilot maintained collective pitch and landed with forward speed. The landing gear braked against soft ground causing the helicopter to tip forward. At low rotor speed, the downwind blade contacted and severed the tail boom. The pilot was uninjured. Technical examination found torque fluctuations in the engine data followed by major power loss, probably caused by a temporary partial blockage of the fuel supply. The cause could not be recreated during test runs.