GOM Helicopter Ops 2000-2019: Single Engine Usage Plummets But Fatal Accident Rate Resistant The Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC) has been publishing data on the Gulf of Mexico (‘GOM’) offshore helicopter fleet and its safety since 1995. We have previously looked at their 2019 data, dated 28 May 2020 and released in mid-December 2020. What is noticeable over the
The BEA suggest miscommunication about the operating environment an engine was exposed to resulted in an AD not being applied, missing the chance of early detection of an impending engine failure.
Forced Landing after CAMO Underestimated Operation in Dusty Environments Read Post »
The value of doing a ‘full and free’ flying control check was demonstrated in this incident.
Firefighting CH-54 Flying Control FOD Find Read Post »
A design deficiency was addressed by a subsequent Airworthiness Directive.
EC130 Door Loss Damaged Main Rotor Blades Read Post »
After touchdown the helicopter lifted into the hover due to a concern over sideways drift but became unstable. The forward rotors contacted the fuselage and the rear landing gear collapsed.
RCAF Chinook Loss of Control (LOC) Investigation Read Post »
The pilot told the NTSB in a telephone interview that he “just didn’t see the truck”.
Pilatus PC-12 Collided with Pick-Up Truck During Dusk Take Off Read Post »
A fatal descent into trees after an engine failure at low altitude after exceeding engine component life limits. Engine cycles were documented “irregularly”.
Engine Life Limit Exceedance Caused Logging Helicopter Fatal Accident Read Post »
An air tour operator’s improper installation of tail rotor bearings resulted in cascading in-flight failures, say NTSB. The tail rotor assembly was “was on the verge of imminent failure” when the helicopter landed.
Air Tour Helicopter Force Landing After Improper Installation of Tail Rotor Bearings Read Post »
This helicopter was allowed to drift to the right while preparing to lift a load at a remote mining exploration site.
HESLO Dynamic Rollover in Alaska Read Post »
Accident investigators say a SAR AW101 rolled over “during a period of persistently elevated and confusing operational risk” as the aircraft type was being introduced to military service in Norway.
A drone demo in a prison car park resulted in a LOC-I and injury due to the geo-fence around the site.
Drone Pilot Injured in US Prison Geo-fence Incident Read Post »
At first the pilot wasn’t aware that the helicopter’s tail rotor had stuck the helideck perimeter netting…
Air Ambulance B407 Hospital Helipad Deck Edge Tail Strike During Shallow Approach Read Post »
During an approach to a hillside fire, airspeed drops dangerously low and the helicopter drifts backwards into trees…
Firefighting AW139 Loss of Control and Tree Impact Read Post »
The C208 pilot thought he had set the parking brake and focused his attention inside the cockpit.
Cessna 208B Collides with C172 after Distraction Read Post »
BEA-E identify a range of possible factors for the jamming of a hoist and severing of the hoist cable during a military training exercise.
Military SAR H225M Caracal Double Hoist Fatality Accident Read Post »
During the second go-around the crew started an impromptu visual approach when the ExxonMobil installation suddenly came into view. A high ROD at low airspeed developed in low-visibility. The helicopter avoided the sea by just 13 ft. A second loss of control occurred during the ascent.
Loss of Control, Twice, by Offshore Helicopter off Nova Scotia Read Post »
After abandoning an inland routing, the crew headed to the coast but fly into high ground after an Inadvertent entry into Instrument Metrological Conditions (IIMC).
Sécurité Civile Fatal EC145 CFIT: Night, Low Ceiling and a Change in Route Read Post »
The investigation showed that the RNoAF should intensify its safety management, including on risk, competency and safety culture. It also identified a need for an independent and comprehensive supervisory body for military aviation in Norway.
A Second from Disaster: RNoAF C-130J Near CFIT Read Post »
A change in plan resulted in a helicopter returning with an unballasted sling and at a higher than advised speed this entangled with the tail rotor.
Unballasted Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel Read Post »
A police helicopter presses on for a second time into deteriorating weather.
Plan Continuation Bias & IIMC in Kenyan Police AW119 Accident Read Post »
We look at a takeoff accident to a USAF UAS where the engine condition lever was retarded instead of the flaps being retracted.
USAF MQ-9A Reaper Lever Confusion: Human Factors Read Post »
A key component was never recovered, investigators seem to have misunderstood their own laboratory’s report on another and the NTSB conclusions omit to identify the evident failure of a shear pin to correctly perform its safety function as a factor.
NTSB suggest an air lock in the fuel system plus an auto-feather system failure which may have occurred if the power lever was manually retarded during the auto-feather sequence. The DC-3 was below the airspeed required to maintain lateral control after an engine failure with an unfeathered propeller.
Did you know that rain on a windscreen, in addition to causing poor visibility, introduces a refraction error that can make objects appear lower, by up to 5 degrees?
Windscreen Rain Refraction: Mountain Mine Site HESLO CFIT Read Post »
An accident that highlights the benefit of practical emergency drills and careful consideration of survivability issues.
AS350B3 Ditching Japan Read Post »
