Bell 429 TR Pitch Change Link Bearing Failure
Bell Helicopter issues an ASB but it takes 6 months for an ‘Emergency’ AD and compliance by the operator. However, critical damage was missed.
Bell 429 TR Pitch Change Link Bearing Failure Read Post »
Ground Collision Under Pressure: Challenger vs ATV: 1-0
Pressure (human factors but not hydraulic!), changes of plan, distractions and skipped checklists all feature in this ground collision.
Ground Collision Under Pressure: Challenger vs ATV: 1-0 Read Post »
AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017
An AW139 helicopter made a precautionary ditching off Abu Dhabi on 29 April 2017 after loss of drive to the MGB cooling fan.
AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017 Read Post »
Super Puma Second Stage Planet Gear Background
In light of the LN-OJF investigation (and the earlier G-REDL accident) we look at this Critical Part in more detail.
Super Puma Second Stage Planet Gear Background Read Post »
Unstabilised Approach Accident at Aspen
A low time on type crew, an out of limits tailwind and a demanding airport all conspire in this fatal Challenger CL-600 accident.
Unstabilised Approach Accident at Aspen Read Post »
EASA Decisions on Management of Aeronautical Databases / Part-DAT
EASA is tightening the regulation of safety-critical aeronautical navigation databases from Jan 2019 (topically after concerns were raised by the Irish AAIU after an S-92A accident).
EASA Decisions on Management of Aeronautical Databases / Part-DAT Read Post »
AS365N3 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Loss During Hoisting
The undetected failure of a TR pitch change bearing resulted in a horrific winching accident in Taiwan, in which two people died. We delve into the ASC’s final report (only published in full in Chinese).
AS365N3 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Loss During Hoisting Read Post »
Insecure Pitch Link Fatal R44 Accident
During a post-maintenance check flight the main rotor separated from an R44 after a maintenance assembly error.
Insecure Pitch Link Fatal R44 Accident Read Post »
Leadership and Trust
Good leaders inspire trust but there is a Dutch proverb: “Trust comes on foot, but leaves on horseback.” We discuss why trust is important in developing an organisation’s culture to overcome blame and fear and how behaviour is key.
Leadership and Trust Read Post »
NTSB Recommendation on JT15D Failure to Meet Certification Bird Strike Requirements
We look at three significant incidents that led to the conclusion that the JT15D-5 on the Beechjet 400A is uniquely vulnerable to bird strikes.
NTSB Recommendation on JT15D Failure to Meet Certification Bird Strike Requirements Read Post »
Cessna 208 Forced Landing: Engine Failure Due To Re-Assembly Error
86 flying hours before this accident, on a different continent, a component was omitted during maintenance. We look at the airworthiness and flight ops safety lessons.
Cessna 208 Forced Landing: Engine Failure Due To Re-Assembly Error Read Post »
Director of Maintenance Pleads Guilty To Obstructing an NTSB Air Accident Investigation
We look at the background to this guilty plea and the associated maintenance related accident.
Director of Maintenance Pleads Guilty To Obstructing an NTSB Air Accident Investigation Read Post »
Heli-Expo 2017 Photo Report
News and photos from HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, TX (6-9 March 2017).
Heli-Expo 2017 Photo Report Read Post »
Unstable Approach Dash 8 Touches Down 450ft Before Threshold
Continuing an unstable approach after a loss of visual reference led to a Jazz Dash 8 contacting the ground 450ft short of the runway, causing significant damage.
Unstable Approach Dash 8 Touches Down 450ft Before Threshold Read Post »
Deadly Delay: GOM B206B3 Helicopter Night Accident 6 Feb 2017
A delay waiting for passengers from SGS to complete their work on a tanker in Galveston Bay meant this Bell 206B3 attempted a night flight back to shore.
Deadly Delay: GOM B206B3 Helicopter Night Accident 6 Feb 2017 Read Post »
Smoke in Cabin: Anatomy of a Wash Rig Error
We focus on the maintenance HF lessons from a serious incident involving smoke in the cabin of an A320 on take off.
Smoke in Cabin: Anatomy of a Wash Rig Error Read Post »
ATR72 Cognitive Bias Leads to Control Problems
Low familiarity with icing conditions and cognitive bias were factors in a serious incident for an ATR72 departing from Manchester last winter say AAIB.
ATR72 Cognitive Bias Leads to Control Problems Read Post »
Consultants & Culture: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Prof Edgar Schein says culture diagnoses and fixes rarely accomplish the desired results. Its crucial not to believe the proprietary hype of some consultancies!
Consultants & Culture: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Read Post »
Flying Control FOD: Screwdriver Found in C208 Controls
An attentive flying control rigging check finds a shocking piece of FOD that highlights the importance (yet again) of effective tool control.
Flying Control FOD: Screwdriver Found in C208 Controls Read Post »
Fatal H500 / 369D Low Altitude Hover Power Loss: Power Line Maintenance Project
An engine compressor failure while installing power line markers resulted in an unsurvivable impact and fire.
Fatal H500 / 369D Low Altitude Hover Power Loss: Power Line Maintenance Project Read Post »
Unexpected Load: AS350B3 USL / External Cargo Accident in Norway
A difference in understanding between pilot and loadmaster meant the surprise attachment of an external load, a sudden ‘jerk’ during take off and an emergency landing that damaged the helicopter.
Unexpected Load: AS350B3 USL / External Cargo Accident in Norway Read Post »
Airworthiness Matters: Next Generation Maintenance Human Factors
Aerossurance’s Andy Evans was invited to write an article for the International Federation of Airworthiness “Airworthiness Matters” publication on Next Generation Maintenance Human Factors.
Airworthiness Matters: Next Generation Maintenance Human Factors Read Post »
Drone Goes Walkabout: Hemispherical Human Factors Hiccup
An ATSB report into an Australian RPAS/UAS LOC accident highlights the importance of HF in ground station design and of data entry verification.
Drone Goes Walkabout: Hemispherical Human Factors Hiccup Read Post »
Mitsubishi MRJ (now SpaceJet) Schedule Slips Further
Mitsubishi confirm a further two-year delay in the delivery of the first MRJ90 to ANA. The programme is now 7 years behind its original schedule.
Mitsubishi MRJ (now SpaceJet) Schedule Slips Further Read Post »
Confusion of Compelling, But Erroneous, PC-12 Synthetic Vision Display
Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) are an increasingly common tool to enhance flight crew situational awareness. However the crew of a PC-12 were momentarily misled during a night-time medevac take-off by their SVS after a RADALT failure.
Confusion of Compelling, But Erroneous, PC-12 Synthetic Vision Display Read Post »