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 »
Dash 8 Q400 Control Anomalies: 1 Worn Cable and 1 Mystery
The AAIB identify weaknesses in maintenance practices relating to flying control cables, an unrelated anomaly that has occurred on a number of Q400s and a weakness in how the Q400 FDR processes data that has been solved only for US operators.
Dash 8 Q400 Control Anomalies: 1 Worn Cable and 1 Mystery Read Post »
Hawaiian Air Tour EC130T2 Hard Landing after Power Loss (Part 2 – Survivability)
After a power loss, this air tour helicopter force landed on a beach. Everyone on board survived a 40 ft/s (12.2 m/s) impact, saved by helicopter design features, but the severity of some injuries may have been less if harnesses were correctly worn.
Hawaiian Air Tour EC130T2 Hard Landing after Power Loss (Part 2 – Survivability) Read Post »
Swedish SAR AW139 Damaged in Aborted Take-off Training Exercise
The instructor, confident in his student’s ability, let an exercise proceed outside of RFM recommendations. The aircraft contacted the ground with a 6.1 m/s vertical velocity (20 ft/s).
Swedish SAR AW139 Damaged in Aborted Take-off Training Exercise Read Post »
Runaway Dash 8 Q400 at Aberdeen after Miscommunication Over Chocks
The AAIB highlight safety lessons after an incident that occurred when an aircraft that had been in storage was being prepared for a ferry flight by personnel from 4 different organisations. This is topical at a time when many aircraft are entering and leaving storage due to COVID-19.
Runaway Dash 8 Q400 at Aberdeen after Miscommunication Over Chocks Read Post »
Latent Engine Defect Downs R44: NR Dropped to Zero During Autorotation
A confused response to an engine issue earlier in the day, a sudden power loss and a failed autorotation…but crashing into trees was decisive in the two occupants’ survival say NSIA.
Latent Engine Defect Downs R44: NR Dropped to Zero During Autorotation Read Post »