A change in task and a common misinterpretation leads to operation below established fuel minima. A norm of leaving a HEC belly-band in place on non-HEC tasks complicated sling release, and the line went taut before the autorotation was complete.
Fuel Starvation During Powerline HESLO Read Post »
After being stored for 7 months, the brakes failed on this PA-31. Inadequate storage checks suspected.
Brake Failure Causes PA-31 Runway Excursion During Taxi Read Post »
While flying a shallow approach using NVIS a HEMS helicopter entered low-lying fog. After being startled and blinded by the NVGs, the pilot initiated a go-around but the helicopter briefly contacted the ground.
A HEMS Helicopter Had a Lucky Escape During a NVIS Approach to its Home Base Read Post »
An AD overrun, an omission of a pre-flight free play check for 18 years and a lack of autorotation practice all feature in this accident.
Schweizer 269C Destroyed after Missed AD Read Post »
A 1.1 t load was moved to pylon 151, just the wrong pylon 151. A gust caught the helicopter at the worst moment, just as the longline became taut.
Dynamic Rollover During HESLO at Gusty Mountain Site Read Post »
Reflective observations from a pilot after an accident while conducting external load operations from a research vessel off the coast of Alaska.
Ditching after Blade Strike During HESLO from a Ship Read Post »
Repositioning to avoid a storm, this air ambulance crashed just short of its destination on a 3-minute flight.
Air Methods AS350B3 Night CFIT in Snow Read Post »
Limited availability of data discouraged practical training in a specific emergency procedure, say TAIC.
Training Weaknesses Feature in Fatal MD600N Accident Read Post »
A Mid Air Collision, caught dramatically on video, that highlights the difficulty of visually detecting other aircraft in Class G airspace.
In a thunderstorm, this 737 hydroplaned after an unstable approach. NTSB comment on PF’s plan continuation bias and the PM’s lack of experience. The FAA has issued further guidance on calculating landing lengths and imposed a fine on an MRO who had conducted defective work on rafts and slides.
NTSB Report on Miami Air International Jacksonville B737-800 Runway Excursion Read Post »
Prompt Emergency Landing Saves Powerline Survey Crew After MGB Pinion Failure (First European Aviation Hughes 369D SE-JVJ) On 1 August 2019 Swedish registered Hughes (now MD Helicopters) 369D, SE-JVJ, operated by Polish company First European Aviation, was mapping Norwegian electricity distribution lines for Eidsiva Nett using both laser scanning and aerial photography when it was involved in an
Prompt Emergency Landing Saves Powerline Survey Crew After MGB Pinion Failure Read Post »
Investigators say the pilot was requested to land closer to the casualty and having skipped a low recce the crew’s attention was on obstacles not the slope and still landed after a Mast Moment warning.
AD issued to inspect the B430 main rotor pitch link clevis after the second of two accidents that cost the lives of 11 people.
While officially no cause was determined, the contributory factors identified and safety recommendations imply the investigators suspect a fast approach and a sudden pitch up to reduce speed as the helideck came into view in reduced visibility. Disappointingly, after one failed attempt, neither the wreckage nor recorders were recovered.
Loss of Bell 412 off Brazil Remains Unexplained Read Post »
Deteriorating weather caused a hurried change of plan to use a technique for which there were no documented procedures.
Sécurité Civile EC145 Mountain Rescue Main Rotor Blade Strike Leads to Tail Strike Read Post »
GOM Helicopter Ops 2000-2019: Single Engine Usage Plummets But Fatal Accident Rate Resistant The Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC) has been publishing data on the Gulf of Mexico (‘GOM’) offshore helicopter fleet and its safety since 1995. We have previously looked at their 2019 data, dated 28 May 2020 and released in mid-December 2020. What is noticeable over the
The BEA suggest miscommunication about the operating environment an engine was exposed to resulted in an AD not being applied, missing the chance of early detection of an impending engine failure.
Forced Landing after CAMO Underestimated Operation in Dusty Environments Read Post »
The value of doing a ‘full and free’ flying control check was demonstrated in this incident.
Firefighting CH-54 Flying Control FOD Find Read Post »
A design deficiency was addressed by a subsequent Airworthiness Directive.
EC130 Door Loss Damaged Main Rotor Blades Read Post »
After touchdown the helicopter lifted into the hover due to a concern over sideways drift but became unstable. The forward rotors contacted the fuselage and the rear landing gear collapsed.
RCAF Chinook Loss of Control (LOC) Investigation Read Post »
The pilot told the NTSB in a telephone interview that he “just didn’t see the truck”.
Pilatus PC-12 Collided with Pick-Up Truck During Dusk Take Off Read Post »
A fatal descent into trees after an engine failure at low altitude after exceeding engine component life limits. Engine cycles were documented “irregularly”.
Engine Life Limit Exceedance Caused Logging Helicopter Fatal Accident Read Post »
An air tour operator’s improper installation of tail rotor bearings resulted in cascading in-flight failures, say NTSB. The tail rotor assembly was “was on the verge of imminent failure” when the helicopter landed.
Air Tour Helicopter Force Landing After Improper Installation of Tail Rotor Bearings Read Post »
This helicopter was allowed to drift to the right while preparing to lift a load at a remote mining exploration site.
HESLO Dynamic Rollover in Alaska Read Post »
Accident investigators say a SAR AW101 rolled over “during a period of persistently elevated and confusing operational risk” as the aircraft type was being introduced to military service in Norway.
