PA-34 Electrical Short Melted Rudder Cable
The stand-by battery wiring of a Garmin 1000 chaffed on the rudder cable, shorted and melted the flying control cable.
PA-34 Electrical Short Melted Rudder Cable Read Post »
Loose Engine B-Nut Triggers Fatal Forced Landing
Loose Engine B-Nut Triggers Fatal Forced Landing On 26 September 2017 Hughes (later MD) 369D SE-JVI was being used for power line inspection on behalf of energy company Vattenfall, by the First European Aviation Company when it suffered a sudden power loss and impact with the ground that killed one occupant History of the Accident Flight The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, the
Loose Engine B-Nut Triggers Fatal Forced Landing Read Post »
FAA Rules Applied: So Misrigged Flying Controls Undetected
The FAA’s failure to require Independent Inspections on lighter aircraft sends a cultural signal that means avoidable maintenance HF accidents persist.
FAA Rules Applied: So Misrigged Flying Controls Undetected Read Post »
Tree Top Autorotation for B206L1 After Loose Fuel Line B-Nut Leaks
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 »
Contaminated Oxygen on ‘Air Force One’
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 »
Maintenance Misdiagnosis Precursor to EC135T2 Tail Rotor Control Failure
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 »
USAF Tool Trouble: “Near Catastrophic” $25mn E-8C FOD Fuel Tank Rupture
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 »
Fatal S-61N Dual Power Loss During Post Maintenance Check Flight
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 »
Engine Failure after Inadvertently Being Put Back into Service Incomplete
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 »
What a Difference a Hole Makes: E-8C JSTARS $7.35 million Radar Mishap
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 »
AS350B2 Accident After Vibration from Unrecorded Maintenance
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 »
ADA AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017: Final Report
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 »
Meeting Your Waterloo: Competence Assessment and Remembering the Lessons of Past Accidents
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.
Incorrectly Rigged B1900D Charlotte, NC, 8 January 2003: 21 Fatalities
The crew were unable to control the aircraft in pitch due to errors during maintenance two evenings before. We look at some of the human performance influencing factors in this accident that killed 21.
Incorrectly Rigged B1900D Charlotte, NC, 8 January 2003: 21 Fatalities Read Post »
Inadequate Maintenance at a USAF Depot Featured in Fatal USMC KC-130T Accident
An inadequate USAF propeller overhaul preceded an in-flight failure that resulted on loss of a USMC C-130 and 16 personnel.
Inadequate Maintenance at a USAF Depot Featured in Fatal USMC KC-130T Accident Read Post »
USAF Engine Shop in “Disarray” with a “Method of the Madness”: F-16CM Engine Fire
An AIB report paints a sorry picture of a poor performing engine maintenance facility. But these short comings were known about over 5 years before this F-16CM accident…
USAF Engine Shop in “Disarray” with a “Method of the Madness”: F-16CM Engine Fire Read Post »
Inadequate Maintenance, An Engine Failure and Mishandling: Crash of a USAF WC-130H
Botched engine maintenance trouble shooting preceded an engine failure on take off and aircraft mishandling that resulted in the loss of a C-130 and 9 personnel.
Inadequate Maintenance, An Engine Failure and Mishandling: Crash of a USAF WC-130H Read Post »
Lost Tool FODs Propeller Blade, Penetrating Turboprop’s Fuselage
A forgotten tool from uncompleted maintenance causes propeller damage with multiple fuselage penetrations and damage to an unoccupied seat armrest!
Lost Tool FODs Propeller Blade, Penetrating Turboprop’s Fuselage Read Post »
Lufthansa MD-11F Nose Wheel Detached after Maintenance Error
A Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F nose wheel detached shortly after maintenance. The investigation report was issued almost 2 years later but reveals almost nothing on the circumstances the maintenance was conducted in.
Lufthansa MD-11F Nose Wheel Detached after Maintenance Error Read Post »
Firefighting Helicopter Wire Strike
A helicopter was saved by cable cutters and an evasive manoeuvre when it struck wires near dusk when firefighting. Damage to a main rotor blade was not spotted for 3 days however.
Firefighting Helicopter Wire Strike Read Post »
Low Viz Helicopter CFIT Accident, Alaska
An AS350B2 impacted terrain after continuing visual flight into deteriorating IMC. The helicopter was configured with boxes to carry huskies, but their weight was not accounted for, so the aircraft was operating overweight.
Low Viz Helicopter CFIT Accident, Alaska Read Post »
Helicopter Engine Unapproved Repair Leads to Forced Landing Damage
An incorrect and unapproved repair of the engine compressor diffuser at an MRO resulted in failure of the compressor diffuser aft plate and partial loss of engine power.
Helicopter Engine Unapproved Repair Leads to Forced Landing Damage Read Post »
Eclipse 500 Landing Gear Production Defect
A fatigue failure emanated from incorrect machining in a high stress area on the MLG trunnion.
Eclipse 500 Landing Gear Production Defect Read Post »
Torched Tennessee Tour Trip (B206L N16760)
A B206 crash resistant fuel system mod has been available since 1994. No one has EVER bought the mod kit…
Torched Tennessee Tour Trip (B206L N16760) Read Post »
Crossed Cables: Colgan Air B1900D N240CJ Maintenance Error
On 26 August 2003 a B1900D crashed on take off after errors during flying control maintenance. We look at the maintenance human factors safety lessons from this and another B1900 accident that year.
Crossed Cables: Colgan Air B1900D N240CJ Maintenance Error Read Post »