AS350B3/H125 Bird Strike with Red Kite
The BEA report that during descent a bird shattered the left-hand windscreen and injured the front seat passenger. The pilot was able to make a safe landing.
AS350B3/H125 Bird Strike with Red Kite Read Post »
Fire-Fighting AS350 Hydraulics Accident: Dormant Miswiring
Hydraulics control system wiring had been misconnected 16 years earlier and repeatedly missed during checks. When inadvertently activated, the “HYD” cut-off caused the TR servo-valve compensator to make the aircraft uncontrollable say GPIAAF.
Fire-Fighting AS350 Hydraulics Accident: Dormant Miswiring Read Post »
Season’s Greetings from Aerossurance
Aerossurance sends its Season’s Greetings to all its customers, partners, suppliers, colleagues and friends.
Season’s Greetings from Aerossurance Read Post »
Mid-Air Collision of Guimbal Cabri G2 9M-HCA & 9M-HCB: Malaysian AAIB Preliminary Report
The Malaysian AAIB explains that two flying club helicopters had been flying ‘in company’ before the Mid Air Collision and they question the practice.
Mid-Air Collision of Guimbal Cabri G2 9M-HCA & 9M-HCB: Malaysian AAIB Preliminary Report Read Post »
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2019 Update
A decline in GOM helicopter usage continues, especially in single engine helicopters. There were two fatal accidents in 2019.
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2019 Update Read Post »
Helicopter Destroyed in Hover Taxi Accident
The unlicensed pilot of a US registered helicopter lost control trying to hover taxi for fuel in Austria after an early morning flight from Italy.
Helicopter Destroyed in Hover Taxi Accident Read Post »
Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche Accident After Unapproved Parts Failed
The fitment of unapproved engine control parts was fundamental to an accident during training say the SA CAA.
Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche Accident After Unapproved Parts Failed Read Post »
NH90 Caribbean Loss of Control – Inflight, Water Impact and Survivability Issues
LOC-I on a low, slow downwind leg. The survivors had not trained with the specific AEA in place. The front crew both became trapped.
NH90 Caribbean Loss of Control – Inflight, Water Impact and Survivability Issues Read Post »
Pilatus PC-12 Pacific Ditching
The NTSB preliminary report on a PC-12 ditching during a Pacific ferry flight points to a flameout while adjusting the ferry fuel system. Both crew were rescued after 22 hours in a raft.
Pilatus PC-12 Pacific Ditching Read Post »
A Saab 2000 Descended 900 ft Too Low on Approach to Billund
An omission of a vertical profile on the Jeppesen chart, a demoted and confused First Officer plus a tired Commander… Yet a vertical profile was programmed in the FMS, but crews weren’t told.
A Saab 2000 Descended 900 ft Too Low on Approach to Billund Read Post »
NTSB on LA A109S Rooftop Hospital Helipad Landing Accident
The NTSB issue their preliminary report on an LA air ambulance hospital helipad landing accident.
NTSB on LA A109S Rooftop Hospital Helipad Landing Accident Read Post »
Air Ambulance A109S Spatial Disorientation in Night IMC
Spatial disorientation in night IMC during an air ambulance helicopter missed approach resulted in a fatal loss of control. The operator’s second night accident in less than three years in similar circumstances.
Air Ambulance A109S Spatial Disorientation in Night IMC Read Post »
Alaskan AS350B3e Accident: Botched Autorotation Practice?
Evidence is consistent with a practice autorotation being attempted to an ‘unsuitable’ Alaskan beach. Nr drooped, helicopter hit the sea, survivor found after a delayed emergency response. Airbus advises only ‘minimal crew’ for such training.
Alaskan AS350B3e Accident: Botched Autorotation Practice? Read Post »
AOA Anomalies on Successive B737-800 Flights
The BEA look as production, maintenance fault-finding and flight operations lessons from a pair of incidents involving the AOA sensors on a Transavia Boeing 737-800.
AOA Anomalies on Successive B737-800 Flights Read Post »
Short Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel: Tail Rotor Strike Fire-Fighting in Réunion
Just because a company does the job one way for 30 years and has a 10k hour pilot doesn’t guarantee success. Techniques changed overnight after this accident. Once the tail rotor was catastrophically damaged, the consequences may have been reduced by the Bambi Bucket being a drag chute.
Short Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel: Tail Rotor Strike Fire-Fighting in Réunion Read Post »
Embraer ERJ-190 EWIS Production Quality a Factor in Fire
Investigators identified chafing due to production errors but also highlight the first maintenance inspection was not scheduled until 36000 flying hours and there was poor guidance of when to use a fire axe to aid fire-fighting.
Embraer ERJ-190 EWIS Production Quality a Factor in Fire Read Post »
HEMS EC135T1 CFIT During Mountain Take Off in Poor Visibility
During a mountain take-off a HEMS crew are caught out by the poor contrast of rising snow-covered ground.
HEMS EC135T1 CFIT During Mountain Take Off in Poor Visibility Read Post »
King Air 100 Uncontained TPE331-6 Failure – Inappropriate Repair Scheme
A failed brazed stator assembly repair resulted in an uncontained turbine failure. The investigation identified apparent omissions in a DER produced repair scheme.
King Air 100 Uncontained TPE331-6 Failure – Inappropriate Repair Scheme Read Post »
B206B Hit by Truck in Forced Landing after 16 Months of Operation with Unairworthy Engine
An engine overdue for overhaul was refitted and 16 months later failed. The operator was not approved for passenger transport but the company was in financial distress so the pilot and part-owner accepted this charter.
Deadly Dusk Air Ambulance Bird Strike
An air ambulance in cruise at c 1,000 ft struck multiple geese, crashing with the loss of 3 lives. At dusk the bird strike risk in that area was ‘severe’ according to USAF modelling, available online as a planning tool.
Deadly Dusk Air Ambulance Bird Strike Read Post »
Tragic Texan B206B3 CFIT in Dark Night VMC
We question the wisdom of departing a bright, spot lit, landing site to fly over a remote area with little cultural light on a moonless night. We also look at how long it really takes for eyes to acclimatise to total darkness.
Tragic Texan B206B3 CFIT in Dark Night VMC Read Post »
Loss of Control During HESLO Construction Task: BEA Highlight Wellbeing / Personal Readiness
BEA were unable to establish the reason for Loss of Control in the hover. The pilot was suffering from an unreported back condition and the HESLO technique required an awkward body position. BEA make recommendations about wellbeing and personal readiness.
An Uncoordinated Fall from an A320 at Helsinki: How Just Reporting is Not Enough
Investigators point to missed opportunities to prevent accidents by collaboratively acting on past safety reports. “The aim should be to process the reports in a coordinated manner so that lessons could be learned…” including sharing between organisations.
An Uncoordinated Fall from an A320 at Helsinki: How Just Reporting is Not Enough Read Post »
Friendly Fire: Civilian Shot in the Head During USAF F-16 Training
We look how a defence contractor was killed during weapons training on a New Mexico range. We also critique the USAF AIB HFACS human factors analysis. A case of ‘What-You-Look-For-Is-What-You-Find’ (WYLFIWYF)?
Friendly Fire: Civilian Shot in the Head During USAF F-16 Training Read Post »
Sécurité Civile EC145 Mountain Rescue Blade Strike
During a mountain rescue a Sécurité Civile EC145 was damaged by loose foliage being recirculated into the main rotor. Afterwards the crew hoist up 4 people and fly two short sectors back to base, exposing 6 people to heightened risk say BEA-E investigators.
Sécurité Civile EC145 Mountain Rescue Blade Strike Read Post »