Engine maintenance practices at a component MRO resulted in the failure of a PW4056 compressor blade, fire and IFSD on a Delta 747.
‘Aggressive’ Grit Blasting Maintenance Leads to Engine Fire & IFSD Read Post »
UK CAA issue their second update following the Feb 2014 CAP1145 report (‘Safety review of offshore public transport helicopter operations in support of the exploitation of oil and gas’).
UK CAA CAP1145: 2nd Update on North Sea Helicopter Safety (CAP1386) Read Post »
We look at two very similar ‘uncontained’ CFM56 fan blade off failures, the second one fatal.
‘Uncontained’ CFM56-7 FBO Failures: Southwest B737-700s 27 Aug 2016 & 17 Apr 2018 Read Post »
Aerossurance is pleased to support this Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors event at East Midlands Airport, 7-8 November 2016.
Aerossurance Supports 2016 HF in Aviation Safety Conference Read Post »
A US fatal accident with an ex-Korean Hawk, operated by a defence contractor, highlights some of the issues of civil use of ex-military aircraft.
Yuma Hawk Accident: Lessons on Ex-Military Aircraft Operation Read Post »
Investigators uncovered mods, maintenance, training, W&B and briefing discrepancies. Highlights importance of mindful contracting for air services.
Fatal Flaws in Canadian Medevac Service Read Post »
Carrier Arrestor System Maintenance Errors Eye watering video has emerged of a mishap on the US aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Atlantic on 18 March 2016. The 1½-inch-thick steel arrestor wire failed during the landing of a Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye and during the go-around the E-2C drops out of sight below
Carrier Arrestor System Maintenance Errors Read Post »
We examine the investigation into the loss of CHC EC225 in Norway on 29 April 2016.
CHC EC225 LN-OJF Norway Accident Investigation Timeline Read Post »
Significant structural damage occurs when crew make opposing pitch inputs say ATSB. The damage is missed for 13 subsequent flights.
ATR72 In-Flight Pitch Disconnect and Structural Failure Read Post »
For Rotors Grease is the Word We look at two helicopter accidents (one fatal) where grease, and in particular the absence of grease, were critical factors. Case 1: AS355F1 N58020 15 September 2012, New Jersey (One Fatality) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report that, Airbus Helicopters AS355F1, N58020 operated by charter operator Analar Corporation was making a positioning flight
For Rotors Grease is the Word Read Post »
NTSB Report on C208B Caravan Ditching, Molokai, Hawaii, 2013 The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on confusion over the applicable engine Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) and ditching procedures in a fatal 2013 accident in Hawaii. Cessna 208B Caravan N687MA, operated by Makani Kai Air, ditched off off Hawaii on 11 December 2013,
NTSB Report on C208B Caravan Ditching, Molokai, Hawaii, 2013 Read Post »
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident (Western Australia Police Air Wing Airbus AS365N3 VH-WPX) The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has just issued a report on an incident where a helicopter’s rotor blades were damaged during start up by Foreign Object Debris (FOD), namely a tool that had been left behind from earlier maintenance. The Incident Flight
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident Read Post »
UK AAIB: Boeing Safety Responses ‘Not Adequate’ Six months ago we published an article that discussed the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into a serious incident involving a Boeing 747-443 G-VROM on 29 December 2014. AAIB has recently published an update on responses to their recommendations by Boeing. Two were classed ‘Not Adequate’, one ‘Partially Adequate’
UK AAIB: Boeing Safety Responses ‘Not Adequate’ Read Post »
UK Military Flying Training System Rotary Wing Aircraft Service Provision Contract Awarded In the second major UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract award this year, Airbus Helicopters has won the contract to provide training helicopters for the RAF, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps until 2033. Airbus will supply and maintain 29 H135s (to be given the UK military name Juno) and three
UKMFTS Rotary Wing Aircraft Service Provision Contract Awarded Read Post »
We report from the second HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on commitment and collaboration to improve offshore helicopter safety.
Offshore Helicopter Safety Performance: 2016 HeliOffshore Conference Report Read Post »
This accident had major lessons on the management of maintenance/maintenance errors, dangerous goods handling and regulatory behaviour.
ValuJet Flight 592: 11 May 1996 Read Post »
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study Earlier this year the German accident investigation agency, the BFU, published their report into Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Bell 412HP that suffered a rear cross tube failure during start up at a hospital in Berlin on 6 September 2010. The helicopter was fitted with ‘high’ skids manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Inc
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study Read Post »
EC225/H225 Main Rotor Head and Main Gear Box Design (CHC LN-OJF Fatal Accident 2016) Following the recent tragic accident at Turøy near Bergen, Norway involving CHC Airbus EC225/H225 LN-OJF there is a lot of interest in the Main Rotor (MR) and Main Gear Box (MGB) design of the EC225. Here we provide some background information on the
EC225 Main Rotor Head and Main Gear Box Design Read Post »
A319 Double Cowling Loss and Fire – AAIB Safety Recommendation Update The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has issued an update on responses to their safety recommendations from their investigation into British Airways Airbus A319 G-EUOE. G-EUOE, powered by IAE V2500s, lost both engine fan cowlings and suffered an associated fire on take-off from London Heathrow
A319 Double Cowling Loss and Fire – AAIB Safety Recommendation Update Read Post »
C-130 Fireball Due to Modification Error A botched modification program unnecessarily changed the original design for a hydraulic system modification when a drawing was misread. A longer hydraulic hose was necessary after that change but an inappropriate design process short-cut meant the shorter hose remained listed as an alternative. The shorter hose was fitted to the modified fleet
C-130 Fireball Due to Modification Error Read Post »
On touch down a corroded MLG torque link lug fractures, the wheels turn 90 degrees and the aircraft veers off the runway. Continuing a/w changes followed,
Metro 23 MLG Corrosion Causes Runway Excursion Read Post »
Forgotten Fasteners – Serious Incidents We examine three incidents where fasteners were forgotten during maintenance. It two cases these maintenance errors resulted in parts falling from the aircraft. In a third, a massive fuel leak occurred. Incident 1 – Twin Otter Mission Pod The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has recently reported on a
Forgotten Fasteners – Serious Incidents Read Post »
Misrouted Engine Fuel Control Cable Hawker 800XP In Issue 4/2015 of TP 6980 – Canadian Aviation Service Difficulty Reports – Feedback an maintenance error involving a Hawker 800XP fuel control cable is reported: During a planned major structural inspection, the technician noticed that the no.1 engine high-pressure fuel lever cable was trapped under the cover of the electrical junction
Misrouted Engine Fuel Control Cable Hawker 800XP Read Post »
Pitot Punctures Floats in Icelandic SAR Ditching The ditching of Icelandic Coast Guard Aérospatiale SA365N Dauphin TF-SIF in the Atlantic off Reykjavik on 16 July 2007 highlights the importance of avoiding protuberances that can puncture emergency flotation systems, careful configuration management and establishing emergency drills. The Icelandic Transportation Safety Board (ITSB), the RNF, issued their report in
Pitot Punctures Floats in Icelandic SAR Ditching Read Post »
First Eleven: RAeS Guidance for Design Organisations on Maintenance Human Performance The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Human Factors Group: Engineering (HFG:E) has published a short guidance document on 11 steps an aviation Design Organisation (DO) can take to “deliver safer, more effective and reliable aircraft through improved design for maintenance”. The RAeS say: Aircraft safety
First Eleven: Guidance for Designers on Maintenance Human Performance Read Post »
