NTSB indicate that a pilot used to the glass cockpit EC135P2+, who had only a brief online differences course for the EC135P1, oversped both engines when they were inadvertently set to manual control. This had happened in a 2006 fatal accident too. A modification to help prevent this had only been fitted to 2 of the 17 P1s in the US fleet.
US HEMS EC135P1 Dual Engine Failure: 7 July 2018 Read Post »
Investigators describe how the sudden loss of a window as a consequence of flying in a prohibited configuration may have made the pilot pitch up, allowing the under-slung fire-fighting bucket to strike the tail rotor.
Wayward Window: Fatal Loss of a Fire-Fighting Helicopter in NZ Read Post »
A Vortex Ring State developed during a tailwind approach to a hospital.
Hard Landing after VRS on Approach to a Hospital Site Read Post »
An installation error resulted in an engine fire on the next flight. In a report issued on 20 July 2018, NTSB identify errors in maintenance manual instructions that highlight how being compliant is not enough.
Fire After O-Ring Nipped on Installation Read Post »
Human factors observations from the investigation into a wheels up landing of a French Navy helicopter during training in the South Pacific.
HF Lessons from an AS365N3+ Gear Up Landing Read Post »
After a wheels up landing the flight crew claimed they had lowered the gear. The evidence disagreed.
Distracted B1900C Wheels Up Landing in the Bahamas Read Post »
A misrigged release unit control cable on a Japanese AS350 chaffed and released the load while manoeuvring.
Load Lost Due to Misrigged HESLO Under Slung Load Control Cable Read Post »
The TSB report posses many questions on the management and oversight of aircraft maintenance, competency and maintenance standards & practices. We look at opportunities for forward thinking MROs to improve their maintenance standards and practices.
B1900D Emergency Landing: Maintenance Standards & Practices Read Post »
A decline in GOM helicopter usage continues. There were three air accidents, two fatal. all involving single engined helicopters.
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2017 Update Read Post »
We summarise a TSIB report into how an SIA B777 took off with a 41t fuel discrepancy (after a combination of aircraft system failure and erroneous verification of the fuel quantity).
Singapore Airlines B777 41t Fuel Discrepancy Incident Read Post »
We look at the ANSV report on a HEMS helicopter Inadvertent IMC event that ended with an AW139 colliding with a mountain in poor visibility.
Italian HEMS AW139 Inadvertent IMC Accident Read Post »
In May 2018 the NTSB published two reports into accidents involving helicopters attempting to carry out wildlife net captures.
Helicopter Wildlife Netting Accidents Read Post »
Self-induced pressure and inadequate OCC support / oversight were behind a fatal US HEMS night accident were an AS350B2 departed an unprepared landing site into IMC in which an LOC-I occurred.
US Fatal Night HEMS Accident: Self-Induced Pressure & Inadequate Oversight Read Post »
If you had spent 2 years rebuilding a classic Piper PA-12 you’d make the time to check the rigging of the flying controls before first flight, right? Sadly, the pilot in this fatal case study was in a rush.
Too Rushed to Check: Misrigged Flying Controls Read Post »
With Trump in the White House its major news when a Federal agency comes out for gun control…
NTSB Comes Out For Gun Control Read Post »
We report from the fourth HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on ‘Delivering Our Priorities’ for improved offshore helicopter safety.
“Delivering Our Priorities”: HeliOffshore 2018 Conference Report Read Post »
The crew of a B787-800 lost 3 of the 5 flight display screens during a climb out of LHR after a lightning strike. The current industry standard for lightning tests do not include test conditions simulating a rapid transient radiated electric field.
When Screens Go Blank: NTSB on a 787 Display Loss After a Lightning Strike Read Post »
A pilot has a lucky escape auto-rotating into a ravine after the throttle bracket came loose 10 hours after installation.
Helicopter Throttle Bracket Left Unsecured After Maintenance Read Post »
A heavy landing after a crew were put under considerable stress during a poorly planned VIP flight booking and a hurried overweight take off.
An AW109SP, Overweight VIPs and Crew Stress Read Post »
Do accident reports make the error of treating human error as a cause not a symptom?
NTSB Probable Causes and Bad Apples Read Post »
ATSB say misunderstandings by the parties involved led to incorrect expectations and the aircraft beginning to taxi prior to the tug moving clear.
A330 Starts to Taxi Before Tug is Clear Read Post »
Everyone walked away from this accident after a faulty fuel line clamp was missed during an inspection.
C208B Force Landing After Inadequate Maintenance Fault Finding Read Post »
It will be no revelation that alcohol and piloting are a bad mix. But what would you do if you saw someone drinking for several hours then saying they were going to “put on an airshow”?
The “Hold My Beer” Helicopter Accident Read Post »
A Shorts 360 cargo aircraft contracted to FedEx crashed in the Caribbean after the crew likely suffered a Somatogravic Illusion raising the flaps on a dark night in 2014. The lack of an FAA SMS regulation for Part 135, the operator’s poor safety culture and implications for the wider industry culture stand out in a thoughtful accident report.
Taiwanese investigators determined that the hoist hook had been inappropriately assembled during maintenance 2 days earlier.
Hoist Assembly Errors: SAR Personnel Dropped Into Sea Read Post »
