Continuing airworthiness management: It’s not always better to do more maintenance than the TC Holder recommends. Part 1 of an article that will go on to look at occupant survivability in Part 2.
Hawaiian Air Tour EC130T2 Hard Landing after Power Loss (Part 1) Read Post »
The need to be cautious of hidden debris is highlighted by this NTSB report.
Air Ambulance Helicopter Downed by Fencing FOD Read Post »
There was an inadequate pre-task briefing, and an undersized team. Operations continued as drizzle started in order to use all the mixed concrete. A device that would have increased separation from the live line was on-site but not used.
Shocking Accident: Two Workers Electrocuted During HESLO Read Post »
The BFU investigated how flying controls of a SAR helicopter became disconnected. A nut was reused. Torque was insufficient. Lubrication was applied incorrectly. A cotter pin was likely omitted. The maintenance was also not signed off.
SAR AS365N3 Flying Control Disconnect: BFU Investigation Read Post »
Airbus AS350B2 9N-ALR of Simrik Air, fell from the helipad on top of the 12-storey Grande International Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, ending on the hospital roof c3 m below.
Air Ambulance Helicopter Fell From Kathmandu Hospital Helipad Read Post »
An operator’s inadequate oversight of its flights, routine exceedance of Flight Manual limitations and an inadequate regulatory structure for aerobatic ‘experiences’ are highlighted by NTSB.
Too Extreme: Fatal Sky Combat Ace EA300 Aerobatic Accident Read Post »
Newly released data in the NTSB public docket suggests that the accident that killed 7, including coal billionaire Chris Cline, was likely due to a Somatogravic Illusion causing spatial disorientation during the night take off.
NTSB Investigation into AW139 Bahamas Night Take Off Accident Read Post »
While on a VFR approach below minima to a mine site there was a loss of visual reference and a Loss of Control – Inflight. The helicopter impacted the water but neither aircraft nor occupants were equipped for sea survival. All 8 POB likely drowned or quickly succumb to hypothermia in 2°C water.
Fatal Mi-8 Loss of Control – Inflight and Water Impact off Svalbard Read Post »
This MD500E helicopter crashed moments after entering a hover when the pilot was surprised by geese.
Pilot Goose(d) Surprised and Crashed Read Post »
At night a ground ambulance driver manoeuvred closer not realising the rotor blades were turning. Exactly 6 months earlier a drunk driver had driven into the same helicopter!
Ambulance / Air Ambulance Collision Read Post »
In heavy rain, darkness and with limited visual cues the aircraft briefly drifted just before touch down and a nacelle grazed the runway. ATSB look at why the damage was not detected for several days.
Boeing 737-800 Engine Nacelle Strike and Continued Operation Read Post »
Possible self-induced commercial pressure and task fixation may have been factors in a HESLO accident involving a loss of visual reference at a mountain top site on lift 29 of 30, resulting in spatial disorientation and a partial loss of control say AIB Denmark.
Inadvertent Entry into IMC During Mountaintop HESLO Read Post »
NTSB believe a pilot, distracted during low level single pilot photography, missed the potential for carb icing, resulting in a power loss and stall at low altitude.
Carb Icing Suspected in Fatal Aerial Photography Flight Read Post »
Security surrounding the VP’s travel meant the crew were given little time to consider an ad hoc landing site. They were reassured that a police B412 had landed safely, but they had not been trained in brownout landings and came into a hover…
AW139 Brownout Accident with the Nigerian VP Aboard Read Post »
An in-flight loss of control due to flight crew inattention say NTSB, coupled with a failure to recognize and promptly recover from a stall during a scheduled passenger flight over Alaska.
US Dash 8-100 Stalled and Dropped 5000 ft Over Alaska Read Post »
A pilot flying a Swedish reindeer herding flight attempts to land due to a change in circumstances (the reindeer have emigrated to Norway!) but a high landing site recce fails to detect a telephone cable…
Impromptu Landing – Unseen Cable Read Post »
A HESLO operator moves to keeperless hooks after a 700 kg load was lost during powerline refurbishment in Scotland.
HESLO AS350B2 Dropped Load – Phase Out of Spring-Loaded Keepers for Keeperless Hooks Read Post »
Weaknesses in procedures, training and facilities at a P&W Non Destructive Inspection shop struggling with a backlog of novel Thermal Acoustic Imaging inspections of PW4000 fan blades.
NDI Process Failures Preceded B777 PW4077 Engine FBO Read Post »
After a change in tasking from surveillance to escorting the Governor’s motorcade, this police helicopter climbed and slowed, falling victim to Vortex Ring State (VRS) say the NTSB. While there is much discussed about recovery from VRS, avoidance is even more critical.
Vortex Ring State: Virginia State Police Bell 407 Fatal Accident Read Post »
A lucky escape for an ATR72 after the second unstabilised approach of the day into the same airport as the Commander insists on descending below MDA. After the first the crew decided to inhibit the TAWS as they misdiagnosed a failure. The Commander (PM) fought the controls when the Co-Pilot first tried to go around.
ATR72 Survives Water Impact During Unstabilised Approach Read Post »
This accident begs further questions about the FAA approach to ex-military helicopters and the adequacy of continued airworthiness activity of non-OEM TC Holders.
OH-58C Crash After MRB Fatigue Crack Read Post »
A business jet suffered a wind shear induced heavy landing at a private ranch airstrip, left the runway, then went through the boundary fence and under power lines before stopping.
Challenger Damaged in Wind Shear Heavy Landing and Runway Excursion Read Post »
The operator upped the minimum fuel load after this accident once it was realised that high nose up attitudes and fuel tank baffles could result in fuel starvation.
A Baffled Attitude Fuel Starvation Accident Read Post »
After this accident the pilot wisely identified 7 topics for a “pre-flight personal wellness check” to help determine readiness. The NTSB also found the operator’s CRM training omitted fatigue as a topic.
Fatigue Featured in Anchorage Alaska Air Ambulance Accident Read Post »
“An inflight collision with a hard object of polycarbonate construction, with size and features consistent with that of a small UAS (drone)” say NTSB.
Drone / Helicopter Mid Air Collision over LA City Hall ‘Probable’ Say NTSB Read Post »
