A Canadian R44 breaks up in flight after erratic flying by an inebriated pilot. An unusual accident with important lessons on pilot supervision, flight following and emergency location.
R44 Oil & Gas Accident – Alcohol, Flight Following, ELTs Read Post »
Technology Friend or Foe – Automation in Offshore Helicopter Operations In London 3-4 July 2014 the Royal Aeronautical Society held a landmark conference on the introduction of automation to offshore helicopters titled: Technology: Friend or Foe? This RAeS conference was triggered by: a CFIT accident on approach to Sumburgh airport in August 2013 (AS332L2 G-WNSB), the issue, a few
Technology Friend or Foe – Automation in Offshore Helicopter Operations Read Post »
19 July 1989: Sioux City On 19 July 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 N1819U, en-route from Denver to Chicago, suffered an uncontained failure of the number 2 General Electric CF6 engine’s fan disc. This resulted in crippling damage to the aircraft’s hydraulics and flight controls. The crew under Captain Al Haynes managed to control the
19 July 1989: Sioux City Read Post »
Hong Kong Harbour AW139 Ditching – HKCAD Report Issued The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) have issued their report into the ditching of AgustaWestland AW139, B-MHJ, operated by Macau based East Asia Airlines Limited (trading as SkyShuttle), in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on 3 July 2010. From the synopsis: The helicopter took off from Sheung
Hong Kong Harbour AW139 Ditching – HKCAD Report Issued Read Post »
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reported on the fatal crushing injury to an able seaman on British registered ro-ro cargo ship, Tyrusland in Tripoli, Libya on 15 May 2013.
Audits Highlighted Risk Assessment Weaknesses Prior to Ro-Ro Fatality Read Post »
During a patient transfer in Australia, HEMS BK117B2 dropped 4,000 ft after a loss of control in the cruise.
Retreating Blade Stall Incident: HEMS BK117B2 VH-VSA Read Post »
B206B Freewheel Accidents in Sweden & Canada Bell 206B registration SE-HOM, operated by Fiskflyg, was engaged in a periodic Operator Proficiency Check in the vicinity of Porjus in Sweden on 8 November 2012, when an accident occurred. The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission [SHK]) published their final report on 3 July 2014. They reported: Shortly after touchdown
B206B Freewheel Accidents in Sweden & Canada Read Post »
Deployable Flight Data Recorders The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) has come out in favour of deployable Flight Data Recorders (FDRs), i.e. a means to deploy a floating capsule containing an FDR from an aircraft with its own Emergency Locator Transmitter. This would then preserve the flight data and provide an automatic ELT independent of the aircraft. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is
Deployable Flight Data Recorders Read Post »
The published at 00.01 am on Tuesday 8 July 2014. In its conclusions the committee say: Helicopter transfer across the North Sea has inherent risks but remains the most practical mode of transport for the offshore oil and gas industry. Five accidents since 2009 have led to a loss of confidence from the offshore work
House of Commons Transport Committee Offshore Helicopter Safety Report Read Post »
In a bizarre rail accident, three Boeing 737 fuselages, being transported from the Spirit AeroSystems Wichita factory to the Boeing assembly line in Seattle, were left at the bottom of a ravine in Montana on 4 July 2014.
737s in Montana Rail Ravine Plunge Read Post »
A patient ” jumped out of an emergency exit/window at a height of 2,000 feet”.
Offshore Passenger Fatality 2 July 2014: CHC Medevac Norway Read Post »
Military Mid Air Collisions One recent accident in Germany and the release of a Service Inquiry into a UK Mid Air Collision (MAC) highlight the importance of managing MAC risk. The UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA) consider MAC to be one of the highest risk hazards in military aviation (as discussed in para 5a of their
Military Mid Air Collisions Read Post »
While supporting reindeer herding this EC120 started to do an USL/HESLO task, but the load dragged along the ground…
EC120 Underslung Load Accident 26 September 2013 – Report Read Post »
Sir Robert Francis QC is to chair an independent review into creating an open and honest reporting culture in the National Health Service (NHS). It has been announced that the review will: …provide independent advice and recommendations to ensure that: NHS workers can raise concerns in the public interest with confidence that they will not
‘Freedom to speak up?’ in the NHS: independent review Read Post »
Four 2014 Helicopter Accidents (Australia, Norway & Alaska) Alaska (1): R44 N392GP On 28 May 2014, piston engined Robinson R44 helicopter N392GP, operated by survey company Global Positioning Services Inc, crashed while conducting underslung (HESLO) load training at Chugiak, Alaska. The pilot was the sole person on-board and died in the accident. The National Transportation
Four 2014 Helicopter Accidents (Australia, Norway & Alaska) Read Post »
There are a host of human factors, automation, crashworthiness, survivability and emergency response lessons from this 2013 accident.
Asiana B777 Accident at SFO 6 July 2013 Read Post »
Misjudgement during abrupt helicopter manoeuvring (AS350B3 LN-OVO) The Accident Investigation Board Norway (the Statens Havarikommisjon for Transport) has issued its report into an accident that occurred to Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, LN-OVO, operated by Fonnafly AS, on 27 April 2013. Their report is in Norwegian only. The helicopter was being used to transport personnel participating in the Røldal
Misjudgement during abrupt helicopter maneuvering Read Post »
737 Descent below Instrument Approach Minima – HF Lessons Human factors are discussed in the report into an incident in New Zealand. Using the autopilot, the aircraft descended on the glideslope but at decision height (200 feet Above Ground Level) the aircraft was still in cloud and the runway or approach lights were not visible. The
737 Descent Below Instrument Approach Minima – HF Lessons Read Post »
In 2014 Airbus Helicopters released a remarkable 15 minute video that describes the lessons from an Inadvertent IMC incident during a HEMS flight in the US and shows the value of FDM.
That Others May Live – Inadvertent IMC & The Value of Flight Data Monitoring Read Post »
Focus on Gust Locks After US G-IV accident On 12 May 2014, 7 people died when Gulfstream G-IV business aircraft N121JM was destroyed at Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts, after a rejected takeoff and runway excursion. Among the dead was Lewis Katz, co-owner of the US’s third-oldest daily newspaper. the Philadelphia Inquirer, who had been attending a charity event with his
Focus on Gust Locks After US GIV accident Read Post »
Airbus Report: Commercial Aviation Accidents 1958-2013 – A Statistical Analysis Airbus have published an analysis report on accidents to western-built commercial air transport jets since 1958. Airbus identify 4 generations of aircraft. Over time the usage of these generations has changed. Of particular interest is Airbus’ claim that the 4th generation has halved the fatal
Airbus Report: Commercial Aviation Accidents 1958-2013 – A Statistical Analysis Read Post »
Fixed Wing Accident & Incident Digest There have been a number of interesting air accident reports or updates recently on a range of fixed wing accidents and incidents, each with unique lessons. 1) Loss of propeller control during descent causes fatal DHC-8 forced landing in Papua New Guinea On 15 June 2014 the Papua New Guinea
Fixed Wing Accident & Incident Digest Read Post »
Unfit for Flight or Unfit for Publication? This week US newspaper USA Today has featured a 3 part ‘exposé’ on general aviation and its safety record by Tom Frank that claimed ‘Lies and coverups mask roots of small-aircraft crashes’: Unfit for Flight: Hidden defects linked to small-aircraft crashes over five decades Unchecked carnage: NTSB probes don’t
Unfit for Flight or Unfit for Publication? Read Post »
After this accident FAA determined unapproved “off the shelf” ducts may have been widely used as no approved Piper ducts has been ordered since 1999 for the 5000 US registered PA-28!
FAA Identify Widespread Use of Unapproved Parts Read Post »
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) 2014-12-52 on 10 June 2014 in response to a production defect on the Honeywell TFE731 engine type. This was prompted by reports of 2nd stage Low Pressure Turbine (LPT2) blade separations due to casting anomalies at or near the root of the LPT2 blade. The EAD requires review of maintenance
Emergency AD – Honeywell TFE731 Engines Read Post »
