Mind the Gap: Hover Taxi Collision (Bell 206L)
On 30 July 2022 a Bell 206L was hover taxiing from the fuel bowser to park at Newman Airport, Western Australia when the main rotor stuck a hangar.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) occurrence brief identifies neither aircraft or operator. They explain that:
While lining up with marking aids on the taxiway, the pilot directed their attention towards a nearby parked helicopter to the right to ensure adequate clearance from the Bell 206L’s main rotor blade. As the pilot moved the 206L forward into the parking bay, there was a loud bang.
The pilot reported there was no loss of control or abnormal movement after the sound and continued to land and shut down the helicopter without further incident.
During the post-flight inspection, it was identified that one main rotor blade had contacted the end of the gantry which supports the sliding doors of the hangar.
Hangar Door Structural Damage: Bell 206L Hover Taxi Collision Newman, WA (Credit: via ATSB)
The helicopter sustained damage to the main rotor blade tip cap over about 10 cm.
Main Rotor Blade Damage: Bell 206L Hover Taxi Collision Newman, WA (Credit: via ATSB)
Safety Actions
According to ATSB:
- The operator suspended helicopter operations around the apron area where the incident occurred, pending the outcomes of an internal investigation into the incident.
- The operator will also review the risk analysis of the apron parking in the vicinity of the hangar and assess the current helicopter parking configuration.
ATSB Safety Message
The FAA helicopter flying handbook advises that when taxiing near hangars or obstructions, the distance between the rotor blade tips and obstructions is difficult to judge.
To reduce collision risk, operators should consider human limitations in assessing the hazards and ensure crews maintain situational awareness of the aircraft’s established safe distance for separation from all objects during taxi.
Risk assessments on apron parking areas should be reviewed periodically to re-evaluate risks and mitigations.
Safety Resources
The European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) has a helicopter safety discussion group on LinkedIn. You may also find these Aerossurance articles of interest:
- Taxiing AW139 Blade Strike on Maintenance Stand
- S-92A Collision with Obstacle while Taxying
- Pedestrian Seriously Injured by Air Ambulance Landing at Melbourne Hospital
- RLC B407 Reverses into Sister Ship at GOM Heliport
- Pilatus PC-12 Collided with Pick-Up Truck During Dusk Take Off
- Investigation into Collision of Truck with Police Helicopter
- SAR Hoist Cable Snag and Facture, Followed By Release of an Unserviceable Aircraft
- South Korean Fire-Fighting Helicopter Tail Rotor Strike on Fuel Bowser
- Ditching after Blade Strike During HESLO from a Ship
- US BSEE Helideck A-NPR / Bell 430 Tail Strike
- UK AAIB Report on Two Ground Collisions
- Ground Collision Under Pressure: Challenger vs ATV: 1-0
- Fatal ATC Handover: A Business Jet Collides with an Airport Vehicle on Landing
- SAR AW101 Roll-Over: Entry Into Service Involved “Persistently Elevated and Confusing Operational Risk”
- Second Time Unlucky: Fatal Greek Wirestrike High-Wire Illusion
- Runaway Dash 8 Q400 at Aberdeen after Miscommunication Over Chocks
- Gazelle Caught Out Jumping a Fence
- Helideck Safety Alerts: Refuelling Hoses and Obstructions
- Air Ambulance Helicopter Downed by Fencing FOD
- Snagged Sling Line Pulled into Main Rotor During HESLO Shutdown
- Ambulance / Air Ambulance Collision
- Hazardous Hangar Hovertaxy
The UK CAA has issued this infographic on distraction:
Recent Comments