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 »
Trade body Oil & Gas UK have released two new reports. The first is the annual Oil & Gas UK Health and Safety Report 2014 which covers: A detailed summary of the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s safety performance An overview of the safety-related projects being carried out across the industry An explanation of how the
Oil & Gas UK News: Health & Safety and Supply Chain CoP Read Post »
In a session entitled “Resilience, helicopters and the challenge of transferring the workforce offshore” at Oil & Gas UK‘s first Annual Conference, attendees heard that the industry is now better prepared for major disruption. Past disruptions have included: The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull (aka ‘E15’) volcanic eruption in Iceland and the resulting volcanic ash fall out Two ditchings in 2012 due
Offshore Industry Improving Aviation Resilience Read Post »
Gulf of Mexico Fatal Helicopter Accident (11 Jun 14) A search has been called off for two people missing after a helicopter accident in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) on 11 June 2014. It is reported that divers have located two bodies. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) preliminary report: N207MY BELL 206 ROTORCRAFT CRASHED
Gulf of Mexico Fatal Helicopter Accident (11 Jun 14) Read Post »
AAIB Report on the Ditchings of EC225 G-REDW 10 May 2012 & G-CHCN 22 Oct 2012 The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have published their combined report into the two Eurocopter EC225 helicopter ditchings in the North Sea in 2012: ….the crews of G-REDW and G-CHCN experienced a loss of main rotor gearbox oil
AAIB Report on the Ditchings of EC225 G-REDW 10 May 2012 & G-CHCN 22 Oct 2012 Read Post »
Offshore Helicopter Confidence Building – Oil & Gas UK’s 2014 Aviation Seminar The critical importance of rebuilding confidence in helicopter transport was the theme for Oil & Gas UK’s annual aviation seminar in Aberdeen on 4 June 2014. Oil & Gas UK is the organisation that represents the entire UK offshore industry and Aerossurance is a member of Oil
Offshore Helicopter Confidence Building – Oil & Gas UK’s 2014 Aviation Seminar Read Post »
The NTSB discusses the response of the New Mexico State Police to their fatal mountain SAR air accident in 2009.
NTSB: “Going Above and Beyond in Helicopter Safety” Read Post »
EASA Annual Safety Review 2013 Published The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Annual Safety Review for 2013 is now available at: http://easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/199751_EASA_ASR_2013.pdf In 2013, there were 18 accidents involving EASA Member State operated Commercial Air Transport aeroplanes. EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky commented: In 2013 there was no fatal accident in commercial air transport aeroplanes in the
EASA Annual Safety Review 2013 Published Read Post »
Canadian Mining Air Accident (Cessna 208B Caravan) In May 2014 the Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) issued their report into a Loss of Control Inflight (LOC-I) accident to a Cessna 208B Caravan on 18 November 2012. The aircraft was on charter to a local mining company to transport employees the 310nm between Snow Lake and
Canadian Mining Air Accident (Cessna 208B Caravan) Read Post »
On 8 May 2014 an Airbus Helicopters AS365N Dauphin helicopter was lost en route from Takoradi in Ghana to the GSF Jack Ryan drill ship. Sadly only 3 of the 8 occupants were rescued.
Offshore Helicopter Accident Ghana 8 May 2014 & The Importance of Emergency Response Read Post »
