We translate a South Korean report into an emergency service helicopter accident investigation. Spatial disorientation, use of automation and heliport management issues.
South Korean Night Black Hole Spatial Disorientation Fatal Helicopter Accident Read Post »
An aerial survey accident highlights problems implementing flight following technology, the dangerous use of marine lifejackets and the value of considering competence.
Helicopter Water Impact Accident: Safety of Airborne Geophysical Survey Operations Read Post »
We look at the accident investigation into a night offshore B212 accident.
Investigation into B212 Accident off UAE 7 September 2023 Read Post »
After this accident the operator introduced an RII / Independent Inspection program.
Maintenance Distraction in Bell 407 Accident Read Post »
A dramatic loss of control after a load snags doing HESLO from a lighthouse.
Lighthouse HESLO Accident Read Post »
An £81 mn fighter is downed by FOD, one of its own intake blanks.
This case study illustrates James Reason’s concept of Organisational Accidents and how just asking “who left the intake blank ?” misses the real reasons behind this accident.
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident Read Post »
FOD, likely introduced during fuel system maintenance, caused a power loss and necessitated a backyard forced landing.
Engine Maintenance Introduced FOD that Caused an EC120 Power Loss Read Post »
Helicopter external sling load ops continued as weather deteriorated with fatal consequences.
A Concrete Case of Commercial Pressure: Fatal Swiss HESLO Accident Read Post »
A missing flying control cotter pin was identified by the NTSB investigation into a fatal S-61N accident in Hawaii. Interview evidence raises SMS effectiveness concerns.
Missing Cotter Pin Causes Fatal S-61N Accident Read Post »
On 23 May 2023 PHI Bell 407 N451PH was damaged during new hire autorotation training at Abbeville, Louisiana. NTSB discuss ‘main rotor blowback’.
B407 Damaged During Autorotation Training Read Post »
After encountering turbulence a Loss of Control occurred when Force Trim Release (FTR) was activated.
SAR AW139 LOC-I During Positioning Flight Read Post »
An offshore medevac accident that highlights considering the changing risk of an individual flight, flight path management in degrading conditions and offshore survivability in a ‘regulatory void’.
BK117 Offshore Medevac CFIT & Survivability Issues Read Post »
The single pilot was head down as the sun set correcting tech log entries. The helicopter struck trees on a mountain top then force landed in woodland.
EC135 Air Ambulance CFIT when Pilot Distracted Correcting Tech Log Errors Read Post »
TSB suggest glare from the sun prevented visual detection of a communications tower by a C172 survey crew.
Oil & Gas Aerial Survey Aircraft Collided with Communications Tower Read Post »
Would you have spotted the potential for hoist cable damage on this modified emergency service helicopter?
HH-60L Hoist Cable Damage Highlights Need for Cable Guards Read Post »
Inadequate consideration of loads during design resulted in a fractured mounting of a 15ft snorkel, which then struck the main rotor killing 4.
Swinging Snorkel Sikorsky Smash: Structural Stress Slip-up Read Post »
An underslung load strikes a tail boom and when jettisoned damages a tail rotor. But this case study really highlights how poor contracting practices drive up risk and how to avoid that.
Poor Contracting Practices and a Canadian Helicopter HESLO Accident Read Post »
An offshore border surveillance P68C suffered two engine power loss failure modes in quick succession. One may have been sabotage.
Double Trouble: Offshore Surveillance P68 Forced to Glide Read Post »
Two Australian occurrences were helicopters have triggered bushfires.
Twisted Firestarters Read Post »
Interrupted during an engine rinse by an emergency call-out a panel was not properly closed and was lost in flight.
Managing Interruptions: HEMS Call-Out During Engine Rinse Read Post »
The longline wrapped around the tail rotor during a 3 minute flight to refuel.
HESLO AS350 Fatal Accident Positioning with an Unloaded Long Line Read Post »
Cockpit confusion: Curious case of a pilot deemed not to be qualified only after this accident.
Customs Training Loss of Control While Climbing Away from a Quick Stop Read Post »
Bird strike in cruise at 1,500 ft AGL at dusk.
Dusk Duck: Birdstrike During Air Ambulance Flight Read Post »
An offshore helicopter almost hit a vessel’s superstructure during an immediate departure when on the verge of a dynamic rollover. We look at the value of HMS repeater lights.
Urgent Exit Required: A Helideck Incident Read Post »
A desire for a PICUS to perform a landing to gain experience resulted in a sub-optimal approach direction being selected.
CHC S-92A Offshore Landing Obstacle Strike: CENIPA Report Read Post »
