In 1991 a minor modification, changing a surface treatment, triggered accelerated wear and a catastrophic propeller failure. The FAA conducted a Special Certification Review. A failsafe design and certification rule changes followed.
A loose B-nut on an imported helicopter necessitated autorotation into woodland. There was no evidence of torque stripes having been applied.
Tree Top Autorotation for B206L1 After Loose Fuel Line B-Nut Leaks Read Post »
Poor standards at a Boeing maintenance facility resulted in contamination of two oxygen systems on a USAF Presidential VC-25 (B747).
Contaminated Oxygen on ‘Air Force One’ Read Post »
The trainer struck the 0.9 kg bird while at 1000-1500 ft AGL. The bird strike caused a catastrophic engine failure and an unrecoverable fire.
USAF T-38C Downed by Bird Strike Read Post »
Incorrect troubleshooting was conducted after previous reports of stiff anti-torque pedals, possibly inadvertently untightening a left hand thread.
Maintenance Misdiagnosis Precursor to EC135T2 Tail Rotor Control Failure Read Post »
AAIB examine the human factors related to a number of flap / landing gear mis-selections.
Easyjet A320 Flap / Landing Gear Mis-selections Read Post »
Ineffective tool control was behind a ‘near catastrophic’ incident on 13 March 2009.
USAF Tool Trouble: “Near Catastrophic” $25mn E-8C FOD Fuel Tank Rupture Read Post »
NTSB unable to determine the reasons for dual engine power loss during a post maintenance check flight. They do note “an improper decision to attempt another maneuver after recovering from a perceived compressor stall”.
Fatal S-61N Dual Power Loss During Post Maintenance Check Flight Read Post »
An AGB module was inadvertently sent for overhaul. Work commenced before it was realised. The module was then sent back u/s but the log card entry was changed subsequently to serviceable not realising a filter was missing. The pilot made an excellent autorotation though.
Engine Failure after Inadvertently Being Put Back into Service Incomplete Read Post »
A decline in GOM helicopter usage continues. There was only one air accident in 2018.
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2018 Update Read Post »
Contractor errors in base maintenance have a high financial impact.
What a Difference a Hole Makes: E-8C JSTARS $7.35 million Radar Mishap Read Post »
The parachute was inadvertently deployed through a small ventilation door. We look at the ergonomics of the parachute and an absence of guidance on use of the ventilation door.
USAF Parachutist Fatally Extracted Through Ventilation Door Read Post »
An oil and gas helicopter suffered an accident when it struck a pothole In Louisiana.
S-76C+ MLG Collapsed Due to Pothole Read Post »
Ambitious training, poorly integrated equipment with no policy on its use, u/s transponders and reduced radar coverage all feature in this airprox with two ASW helicopters.
Merlin Night Airprox: Systemic Issues Read Post »
Four days before the accident the MRBs had been removed and re-installed. No RTB was done. While ground running at a remote site, increasing vibration triggered the pilot to lift off. NR was low and the helicopter tumbled down a slope.
AS350B2 Accident After Vibration from Unrecorded Maintenance Read Post »
The GCAA AAIS discuss the cause of a precautionary ditching and examine the performance of flotation and survival features.
ADA AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017: Final Report Read Post »
No one was injured in this low speed derailment after signal maintenance errors but investigators expressed concern that the lessons from the fatal triple collision at Clapham in 1988 may have been forgotten.
Distractions and fatigue were involved in a CFIT in Japan in which 9 rescuers died.
Japanese Rescue B412 Fatal CFIT Read Post »
BEA point to a series of human factors and technical problems in this near mid air collision.
An ambiguous spec for standard parts features in a nighttime engine failure and nearly 30 IFSDs before the problem was contained.
Production Defect IFSD Triggers Night Deadstick PC-12 Landing Read Post »
A stressed and erratic aircraft commander featured in this horrific landing accident in Nepal.
A very low experience on type flight crew had been paired together. Surprisingly little comment is made by investigators of insufficient certification testing of the modified aircraft and the failure to act after 4 prior ‘near catastrophic’ stall events.
AAIB comment that new operators with little, or no, previous aviation experience are developing procedures for small un-certified UAS which presents a challenge to ensure safe operation of this expanding area of aviation.
Software Bug and High Winds Down Drone Read Post »
The engine intake was left uncovered during a lunch break, when it had started to snow. This allowed ice to form that broke away and damaged the engine. Turns out similar happened at a US HEMS operator within 12 months.
RCMP AS350B3 Left Uncovered During Snowfall Fatally Loses Power on Take Off Read Post »
AAIB examine the human factors related to the mistaken selection of a parking brake instead of the speed brake that was the precursor to an ERJ145 runway excursion at Bristol.
HF of the Selection of Parking Brake Instead of Speed Brake During a Hectic Approach Read Post »
