Heliski Flat Light Flight into Terrain
This helicopter descended below the intended flight path on approach to a glacier.
Heliski Flat Light Flight into Terrain Read Post »
Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Engine Failure Results in Baltic Crash
Investigators focus on the engine in an S-100 UAS loss over the Baltic.
Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Engine Failure Results in Baltic Crash Read Post »
B212 LOC-I: Windshear Encounter in the Lee of Mountain Ridge
The first loss of control caused the TRDS to be severed by a MR blade strike. Only when slowing for an emergency landing did the crew discover they had lost TR drive.
B212 LOC-I: Windshear Encounter in the Lee of Mountain Ridge Read Post »
What Lies Beneath: The Scope of Safety Investigations
Narrowly focusing on the proximal means missing the full context. Beware of What-You-Look-For-Is-What-You-Find. “There is almost no human action or decision that cannot be made to look flawed and less sensible in the misleading light of hindsight.”
What Lies Beneath: The Scope of Safety Investigations Read Post »
Distracted Dynamic Rollover
An R22 dynamic rollover highlights the risk of being distracted by another task and relying only collective friction while rotors running.
Distracted Dynamic Rollover Read Post »
R44 Ditched After Loss of TGB & TR: Improper Maintenance
An R44 pilot pulled off a successful ditching after a maintenance error resulted in the tail rotor assembly departing the helicopter in flight.
R44 Ditched After Loss of TGB & TR: Improper Maintenance Read Post »
Fatal EC130B4 Water Impact in the Tennessee River after “Entry to VRS” Say NTSB
A “steep approach” with “little-to-no airspeed” to a riverside landing site lead to VRS and a water impact. One passenger was unable to escape from the sinking helicopter.
Fatal EC130B4 Water Impact in the Tennessee River after “Entry to VRS” Say NTSB Read Post »
NYPD B429 Accident at Manhattan Heliport “Overapplication of Flight Controls”
A NYPD Bell 429 was damaged while landing in Manhattan.
NYPD B429 Accident at Manhattan Heliport “Overapplication of Flight Controls” Read Post »
Limitations of See and Avoid: Four Die in HEMS Helicopter / PA-28 Mid Air Collision
Four people died in a mid air collision while two aircraft were making training flights. Investigators dispute the effectiveness of see and avoid.
Limitations of See and Avoid: Four Die in HEMS Helicopter / PA-28 Mid Air Collision Read Post »
Inadvertent PTT Pedal Input Causes Tail Rotor Tailboom Contact
A flight nurse reaching for the floor mounted PTT switch resulted in a yaw that exceeded certification requirements. The damage was missed until the next day.
Inadvertent PTT Pedal Input Causes Tail Rotor Tailboom Contact Read Post »
North Sea Helicopter Struck Sea After LOC-I on Approach During Night Shuttling
When a pilot became disorientated during a night approach, an S-76A gets into a dangerously low energy state and strikes the sea. Despite two crew, the helicopter was “operated in a manner very little different from a single pilot operation”.
North Sea Helicopter Struck Sea After LOC-I on Approach During Night Shuttling Read Post »
AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture
US Air Ambulance AW169 survives birdstrike encounter with Texan Turkey Vulture.
AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture Read Post »
Compressive Creep and the Loss of a UH-1H’s Tail Rotor
An error painting a component, a failure to include a torque check in the maintenance manual and no intervention after an abnormal oil sample all feature in a shocking accident caught on video.
Compressive Creep and the Loss of a UH-1H’s Tail Rotor Read Post »
Review of “The impact of human factors on pilots’ safety behavior in offshore aviation – Brazil”
Research indicates intense commercial pressures, intolerable stress and fatigue, ‘schizophrenic’ simulator sessions and weaponizing of FDM, SMS and ‘fair culture boards’ in a “big brother reality show.” We review a recent paper published in Safety Science.
HeliOffshore 2022 Conference Review
We discuss the key points from this year’s HeliOffshore conference in Portugal. HeliOffshore is the global collaborative safety association for the offshore helicopter industry.
HeliOffshore 2022 Conference Review Read Post »
Loose Clothing Downs Marijuana Survey Helicopter
The pilot recounts a FOD event in-flight while flying the media over the violent ‘Emerald Triangle’ of illegal marijuana plantations in Northern California.
Loose Clothing Downs Marijuana Survey Helicopter Read Post »
US Air Ambulance Helicopter Hospital Heliport Tail Strike
NTSB are investigating a US air ambulance tail rotor strike on approach to an elevated hospital helipad.
US Air Ambulance Helicopter Hospital Heliport Tail Strike Read Post »
NTSB: Ergonomics Explain Main Rotor Loss During Flight Test
Ergonomics during a flight test was likely cause of a mast bumping event say NTSB. The dual controls remained fitted and a flight test engineer was holding a 3.5 kg laptop over the cyclic with one hand while making notes with the other.
NTSB: Ergonomics Explain Main Rotor Loss During Flight Test Read Post »
Business Jet Apron Jet Blast Injury
Escorting passengers behind a recently arrived GX that had is anti-collision lights on proved unwise when the GX started to taxi. One passenger was blown over and knocked unconscious.
Business Jet Apron Jet Blast Injury Read Post »
Helideck Heave Ho!
After a 7.5+ year wait Brazilian investigators identify that inaccurate helideck heave data was passed to this helicopter crew. But this occurrence also serves to highlight glacial progress globally adopting best practice.
Helideck Heave Ho! Read Post »
SAR Seat Slip Smash
An RCAF SAR crew were surprised when the Pilot Flying’s seat unexpectedly descended to its lowest position while hovering.
SAR Seat Slip Smash Read Post »
Investigation into Collision of Truck with Police Helicopter
We look at the investigation into how a police helicopter came to be rotors running on an open public road and be struck by a truck carrying biological waste.
Investigation into Collision of Truck with Police Helicopter Read Post »
Dry Ice Packing Error Incapacitated Pilot on Taxiway
Packages of food were overfilled with dry ice leading to a dangerous build up of carbon dioxide in the cockpit of a cargo aircraft.
Dry Ice Packing Error Incapacitated Pilot on Taxiway Read Post »
HEMS Pilot Seizure While Rotor-Running
The HEMS pilot, who had been cleared to fly after a previous head injury, suffered a seizure say investigators. The helicopter yawed into a snow bank, ejecting a casualty who was being loaded.
HEMS Pilot Seizure While Rotor-Running Read Post »
Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike
The SA CAA preliminary report confirms this J41 suffered a bird strike with what is “the world’s heaviest flying bird” species (up to 19 kg). Debris went through the cabin. Fortuitously the pax in that row had moved.
Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike Read Post »