Investigation Summary
On September 6, 1948, a Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) Consolidated PB2B-1 Catalina IVB, registration KK-N, was performing a flight from Sola Air Station to Herdla. The aircraft was carrying 15 people, including crew and military personnel. During the transit, the flight encountered severe weather conditions characterized by a very low cloud base and dense fog typical of the Norwegian coast. The pilot attempted to maintain visual contact with the terrain but inadvertently flew into the side of Førdesveten, a 284-meter mountain in Sund. The impact occurred near the summit at an elevation of roughly 280 meters. The crash resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals, while two survived with injuries. This event remains one of the most significant peacetime losses for the RNoAF. A memorial was later established at the site to honor those lost in the accident.
Final Conclusions
The accident was attributed to Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) resulting from the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather conditions. The low cloud base and heavy fog obscured the high terrain of Førdesveten, making it impossible for the crew to see the mountain before impact.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
The crew was attempting to navigate using visual references to the ground, which became impossible due to the prevailing fog and low ceiling.
Altimeter
Standard barometric instrument used to determine altitude; however, in CFIT accidents, the instrument typically functions correctly while the crew lacks awareness of the terrain height relative to their position.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a PB2B-1 Catalina IVB, a maritime patrol amphibious aircraft built by Boeing Canada.
- 02Førdesveten is the highest point in the former municipality of Sund, rising to 284 meters.
- 03The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the history of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
- 04A memorial monument was later erected at the crash site to honor the 13 victims.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the entered by an editor. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.