FRATricide?: Night S-76D CFIT
Did a Flight Risk Assessment Tool downplay the risk of a flight, delayed to night, to a remote landing site?
Maintenance Error Re-Fitting a Louver Panel Causes Loss of Air Ambulance Tail Rotor
A skilful landing after a minor panel detached causing major damage. Investigators point to maintenance <16 flying hours earlier.
Maintenance Error Re-Fitting a Louver Panel Causes Loss of Air Ambulance Tail Rotor Read Post »
Identical Error Paradox in Aviation Maintenance
A fascinating study on the human factors and risk management of simultaneous maintenance of dual critical systems throws up wider thoughts on maintenance performance.
Questions of Financial Stability: Twin Otter Runway Excursion and Collision with Parked Helicopter
The nose wheel was not centred before touchdown so this Twin Otter veered off the runway. But the insolvency of the operator likely played a role (fatigue & stress).
A S-76C++ Ditched During a PC2 Take Off After an Engine Failure
An offshore helicopter case study on PC2, powerplant reliability and emergency response.
A S-76C++ Ditched During a PC2 Take Off After an Engine Failure Read Post »
Professionalism and Integrity in Aviation
We look at the characteristics of professionalism, some of the challenges and the relative value of training and leadership.
Legends: When HM Customs & Excise Sank the Drug Running Tug Adherence in the Bay of Biscay
A WWII tug covertly purchased by HM Customs and unofficially renamed Adherence II (fittingly a not very watertight ‘legend’) sinks in the Bay of Biscay.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades
An S-76C++ with 14 POB suffered a loss of control when the Commander took over from the Co-Pilot after a lightning strike in IMC.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades Read Post »
Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Water Impact
French Navy S-100 accident: A previously identified failure mode occured prior to the completion of a roll-out of a product improvement.
A Maintenance Error Preceded a Fiery Fatal AS350B3 Accident
A high base maintenance workload and disruptions resulted in a forced landing. A boundary fence post punctured the fuel tank and a post crash fire followed.
A Maintenance Error Preceded a Fiery Fatal AS350B3 Accident Read Post »
HESLO Long Line SNAFU
Coiling a longline while rotors running caught out this AS350’s pilot.
S-92A Night Approach Mode Awareness Incident
An S-92A received a TAWS warning during a night approach to a drilling rig after an undetected mode selection.
When a Crew Intentionally Left Their Aircraft Running Knowing it Would Damage Itself…
An unusual event, rapid innovation & collaboration and a good example why culpability decision aids can be a distraction.
When a Crew Intentionally Left Their Aircraft Running Knowing it Would Damage Itself… Read Post »
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT
A VFR flight continued in deteriorating weather, over reliant on EFB data and attempting ‘improvised’ instrument approaches in IMC.
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT Read Post »
Attention on Engine Shop Assembly of a S-92A CT7-8 after North Sea IFSD
A CT7-8 IFSD: 12 T-bolts fractured, disconnecting the compressor from the GGT. Investigators examined the engine’s last shop visit in Spain.
Attention on Engine Shop Assembly of a S-92A CT7-8 after North Sea IFSD Read Post »
AW189 Loss of Control – Ground, Malaysia 2023
While manoeuvring on the ground prior to a hover for post maintenance RTB this AW189 rolled over.
Bo105 Loss of Control in DVE & Water Impact
LOC-I in worsening weather & water impact of a Coast Guard helicopter supporting marine nav aids. Survivability issues mean both occupants perished.
Loss of Control After Powerbank Jams Helicopter Collective
Powerbanks have got a bad name for incendiary flight safety incidents, but an Irish helicopter suffered a very different powerbank incident.
Loss of Control After Powerbank Jams Helicopter Collective Read Post »
AS350 HESLO Fuel Incident (Superabsorbent Polymer Contamination)
Forced landing – fuel contaminated with SAP (superabsorbent polymer). Unsuitable filters & water separators. Inadequate fuel QC & training.
AS350 HESLO Fuel Incident (Superabsorbent Polymer Contamination) Read Post »
Firefighting K-Max Water Impact After A Close Pass by a S-64 Skycrane
A loss of separation after aircraft were redistributed due to smoke, results in and airprox and downwash affecting the smaller helicopter.
Firefighting K-Max Water Impact After A Close Pass by a S-64 Skycrane Read Post »
H130 Sucks Out Hangar Window; Main Rotor Blade Damaged by FOD
When lifting into a hover right next to a hangar, a window flew into the main rotor. The H130 landed hard.
H130 Sucks Out Hangar Window; Main Rotor Blade Damaged by FOD Read Post »
A Screw in the Wrong Place…A Loss of Hoist Cable
An error of just a few millimetres resulted in a Breeze-Eastern hoist cable being dropped by an AW139…
A Screw in the Wrong Place…A Loss of Hoist Cable Read Post »
Cold Comfort Conference Call: USAF F-35A Alaska Accident
A $196.5 mn organisational accident: a conference call and a contaminated barrel.
Cold Comfort Conference Call: USAF F-35A Alaska Accident Read Post »
Flat Light B206L4 Alaskan CFIT & 11 Hour Emergency Response Delay
A shocking flight following failure after a flat light North Slope CFIT/Water Impact.
Flat Light B206L4 Alaskan CFIT & 11 Hour Emergency Response Delay Read Post »
Air Methods Helicopter Air Ambulance Night Take Off Tree Strike
After training at a Fire Department a BK117 air ambulance crashes after contacting a tree behind it during take off from a confined site.
Air Methods Helicopter Air Ambulance Night Take Off Tree Strike Read Post »