On 26 August 2003 a B1900D crashed on take off after errors during flying control maintenance. We look at the maintenance human factors safety lessons from this and another B1900 accident that year.
Crossed Cables: Colgan Air B1900D N240CJ Maintenance Error Read Post »
A US police AS350B3 Engine Off Landing was practiced on a part rocky, part boggy peninsular, 28 miles drive from emergency assistance. A hard landing damaged the helicopter but fortunately there were no injuries. NTSB highlight Airbus’ advice on such training.
Inappropriate Autorotation Training: Police AS350 Read Post »
Due to errors in performance calculation the aircraft departed from an intersection with thrust set for a full runway length take off.
Investigation into Jet Airways B777 VT-JEK Serious Incident at Heathrow Read Post »
The investigators’ final report confirms that control was lost after a flying control connection failed after a loss of torque and progressive wear to the point of separation from the rod end. This accident highlights the need to make timely progress in accident investigations.
In-Flight Flying Control Failure: Indonesian Sikorsky S-76C+ PK-FUP Read Post »
An XL Airways A330 suffered a cascading series of failures. The BEA look at the human factors aspects of the incident.
Improvised Troubleshooting After Cascading A330 Avionics Problems Read Post »
NTSB indicate that a pilot used to the glass cockpit EC135P2+, who had only a brief online differences course for the EC135P1, oversped both engines when they were inadvertently set to manual control. This had happened in a 2006 fatal accident too. A modification to help prevent this had only been fitted to 2 of the 17 P1s in the US fleet.
US HEMS EC135P1 Dual Engine Failure: 7 July 2018 Read Post »
Investigators describe how the sudden loss of a window as a consequence of flying in a prohibited configuration may have made the pilot pitch up, allowing the under-slung fire-fighting bucket to strike the tail rotor.
Wayward Window: Fatal Loss of a Fire-Fighting Helicopter in NZ Read Post »
A Vortex Ring State developed during a tailwind approach to a hospital.
Hard Landing after VRS on Approach to a Hospital Site Read Post »
An installation error resulted in an engine fire on the next flight. In a report issued on 20 July 2018, NTSB identify errors in maintenance manual instructions that highlight how being compliant is not enough.
Fire After O-Ring Nipped on Installation Read Post »
Human factors observations from the investigation into a wheels up landing of a French Navy helicopter during training in the South Pacific.
HF Lessons from an AS365N3+ Gear Up Landing Read Post »
After a wheels up landing the flight crew claimed they had lowered the gear. The evidence disagreed.
Distracted B1900C Wheels Up Landing in the Bahamas Read Post »
A misrigged release unit control cable on a Japanese AS350 chaffed and released the load while manoeuvring.
Load Lost Due to Misrigged HESLO Under Slung Load Control Cable Read Post »
The TSB report posses many questions on the management and oversight of aircraft maintenance, competency and maintenance standards & practices. We look at opportunities for forward thinking MROs to improve their maintenance standards and practices.
B1900D Emergency Landing: Maintenance Standards & Practices Read Post »
A decline in GOM helicopter usage continues. There were three air accidents, two fatal. all involving single engined helicopters.
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2017 Update Read Post »
We summarise a TSIB report into how an SIA B777 took off with a 41t fuel discrepancy (after a combination of aircraft system failure and erroneous verification of the fuel quantity).
Singapore Airlines B777 41t Fuel Discrepancy Incident Read Post »
Most safety software is purely transactional with a user interface as uninspiring as on-line banking. We look at ways to make safety software more effective and inviting.
How ‘Sticky’ is Your Safety Software? Read Post »
We look at the ANSV report on a HEMS helicopter Inadvertent IMC event that ended with an AW139 colliding with a mountain in poor visibility.
Italian HEMS AW139 Inadvertent IMC Accident Read Post »
In May 2018 the NTSB published two reports into accidents involving helicopters attempting to carry out wildlife net captures.
Helicopter Wildlife Netting Accidents Read Post »
Self-induced pressure and inadequate OCC support / oversight were behind a fatal US HEMS night accident were an AS350B2 departed an unprepared landing site into IMC in which an LOC-I occurred.
US Fatal Night HEMS Accident: Self-Induced Pressure & Inadequate Oversight Read Post »
If you had spent 2 years rebuilding a classic Piper PA-12 you’d make the time to check the rigging of the flying controls before first flight, right? Sadly, the pilot in this fatal case study was in a rush.
Too Rushed to Check: Misrigged Flying Controls Read Post »
With Trump in the White House its major news when a Federal agency comes out for gun control…
NTSB Comes Out For Gun Control Read Post »
We report from the fourth HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on ‘Delivering Our Priorities’ for improved offshore helicopter safety.
“Delivering Our Priorities”: HeliOffshore 2018 Conference Report Read Post »
The crew of a B787-800 lost 3 of the 5 flight display screens during a climb out of LHR after a lightning strike. The current industry standard for lightning tests do not include test conditions simulating a rapid transient radiated electric field.
When Screens Go Blank: NTSB on a 787 Display Loss After a Lightning Strike Read Post »
A pilot has a lucky escape auto-rotating into a ravine after the throttle bracket came loose 10 hours after installation.
Helicopter Throttle Bracket Left Unsecured After Maintenance Read Post »
A heavy landing after a crew were put under considerable stress during a poorly planned VIP flight booking and a hurried overweight take off.
An AW109SP, Overweight VIPs and Crew Stress Read Post »
