News & Comment

RCAF Investigate Defect on Newly Delivered CH-148 Cyclone (S-92)

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Military / Defence, Safety Management

Terminal wire lugs T1, T2 & T3 were found unsecured. T1 was missing its securing nut, washer and lockwasher but was still contacting its terminal stud. T2 & T3 were found hand tight.

RCAF Investigate Defect on Newly Delivered CH-148 Cyclone (S-92) Read Post »

Fatal US Helicopter Air Ambulance Accident: One Engine was Failing but Serviceable Engine Shutdown

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft

PSM+ICR: A propulsion system malfunction (a failing No 2 engine) was followed by an inappropriate crew response (shutting down the No 1 engine). The NTSB show how the pilot may not have been familiar with how the helicopter’s displays respond in emergencies.

Fatal US Helicopter Air Ambulance Accident: One Engine was Failing but Serviceable Engine Shutdown Read Post »

US Air Ambulance Near Miss with Zip Wire and High ROD Impact at High Density Altitude

Accidents & Incidents, Airfields / Heliports / Helidecks, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft

NTSB points to a failure to consider the Density Altitude in this spectacular air ambulance accident caught on video. But there are wider lessons about planning and landing site hazards.

US Air Ambulance Near Miss with Zip Wire and High ROD Impact at High Density Altitude Read Post »

Grand Canyon Air Tour Tragic Tailwind Landing Accident

Airfields / Heliports / Helidecks, Crises / Emergency Response / SAR, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Safety Management, Survivability / Ditching

A Loss of Control – Inflight during a downwind approach to a busy remote landing site. The helicopter crashed in a difficult to access gully and caught fire. It took almost 10 hours for survivors to reach hospital. Five of the 7 occupants died.

Grand Canyon Air Tour Tragic Tailwind Landing Accident Read Post »

NZ Firefighting AS350 Accident: Role Equipment Design Issues

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Regulation, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft

The sling for the underslung fire-fighting bucket contacted the tail rotor resulting in a loss of control. Investigators identified a vulnerability in the bucket’s design and shortcomings in promulgating essential design data to operators.

NZ Firefighting AS350 Accident: Role Equipment Design Issues Read Post »

Korean Kamov Ka-32T Fire-Fighting Water Impact and Underwater Egress Fatal Accident

Accidents & Incidents, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft, Survivability / Ditching

Distracted by radio calls and with a poor split of duties the fire-fighting flight crew missed their high descent rate during their third attempt to uplift water. After the water impact there were survivability issues and one of the crew was unable to escape underwater.

Korean Kamov Ka-32T Fire-Fighting Water Impact and Underwater Egress Fatal Accident Read Post »

Fire-Fighting AS350 Hydraulics Accident: Dormant Miswiring

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft

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 »

NH90 Caribbean Loss of Control – Inflight, Water Impact and Survivability Issues

Accidents & Incidents, Crises / Emergency Response / SAR, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Military / Defence, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft, Survivability / Ditching

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 »

Alaskan AS350B3e Accident: Botched Autorotation Practice?

Accidents & Incidents, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Safety Management, Survivability / Ditching

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 »

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