A S-76C++ Ditched During a PC2 Take Off After an Engine Failure
An offshore helicopter case study on PC2, powerplant reliability and emergency response.
A S-76C++ Ditched During a PC2 Take Off After an Engine Failure Read Post »
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades
An S-76C++ with 14 POB suffered a loss of control when the Commander took over from the Co-Pilot after a lightning strike in IMC.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades Read Post »
Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Water Impact
French Navy S-100 accident: A previously identified failure mode occured prior to the completion of a roll-out of a product improvement.
S-92A Night Approach Mode Awareness Incident
An S-92A received a TAWS warning during a night approach to a drilling rig after an undetected mode selection.
Bo105 Loss of Control in DVE & Water Impact
LOC-I in worsening weather & water impact of a Coast Guard helicopter supporting marine nav aids. Survivability issues mean both occupants perished.
Engine & Emergency Flotation Failures – Greenland B206L4 Ditching
A tiny loose turbine bearing tang triggers an autorotation but frozen water in a hose caused the EFS to malfunction. SB/ICA changes for engine and EFS.
Engine & Emergency Flotation Failures – Greenland B206L4 Ditching Read Post »
UK CAA HOFO ACAS Rulemaking 2025 & a 2004 Tornado / AS332L Airprox
UK CAA are proposing making ACAS II mandatory for offshore helicopters: we look back to the 2004 incident that prompted a demonstration that ACAS II was practical for helicopters.
UK CAA HOFO ACAS Rulemaking 2025 & a 2004 Tornado / AS332L Airprox Read Post »
S-76D Loss of Control on Approach to an Indian Drilling Rig
A low time on type crew lost control while distracted. Everyone escaped but 4 died in the water due to poor briefings and inadequate rescue capability.
S-76D Loss of Control on Approach to an Indian Drilling Rig Read Post »
Startled Shutdown: Fatal USAF E-11A Global Express PSM+ICR Accident
A fan blade off event leads to an engine automatic shutdown. The crew shut down the serviceable engine and choose to divert 200 NM further than necessary leading to a forced landing.
Startled Shutdown: Fatal USAF E-11A Global Express PSM+ICR Accident Read Post »
DA62 Forced Landing After Double Engine Shutdown Due to Multiple Electrical Issues
NTSB were unable to identify the cause of the initiating electrical failure but did identify two battery issues, one connected to a maintenance error & inadequate functional test requirement.
DA62 Forced Landing After Double Engine Shutdown Due to Multiple Electrical Issues Read Post »
Dramatic AW139 Accident at Houma: Skillful Recovery from a Latent Production Defect
Exemplary airmanship after a production defect, dormant for 11 years emerged. We look at human centred design and a ‘scary version’ of current supply chain issues.
Dramatic AW139 Accident at Houma: Skillful Recovery from a Latent Production Defect Read Post »
Deadly Delay: Catastrophic USAF CV-22B Osprey Gear Box Failure
We review the USAF AIB report, looking at the catastrophic gear box failure and decision making seemingly influence by low risk awareness and commitment to completing the flight.
Deadly Delay: Catastrophic USAF CV-22B Osprey Gear Box Failure Read Post »
Night Offshore Helicopter Approach Water Impact
A night visual approach resulted in illusions that resulted in a water impact. Everyone on board was rescued but not before highlighting many survivability & SAR enhancements, as well as triggering improved helideck lighting and TAWS improvements.
Undetected Cross Connection Maintenance Error Resulted in a DA42 Hard Landing During a Maintenance Check Flight
Wear is found during a check that results in a rare flying control maintenance task, poorly described in the AMM. Its unrecorded and delegated to an apprentice with insufficient supervision. We examine the maintenance human factors involved.
In-Flight Break-up of King Air C90 After Wing Spar Repaired Against Manufacturer’s Advice
The wing spar failed from fatigue cracking elsewhere in the wing that was missed during the same inspection.
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident
An £81 mn fighter is downed by FOD, one of its own intake blanks.
This case study illustrates James Reason’s concept of Organisational Accidents and how just asking “who left the intake blank ?” misses the real reasons behind this accident.
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident Read Post »
SAR AW139 LOC-I During Positioning Flight
After encountering turbulence a Loss of Control occurred when Force Trim Release (FTR) was activated.
BK117 Offshore Medevac CFIT & Survivability Issues
An offshore medevac accident that highlights considering the changing risk of an individual flight, flight path management in degrading conditions and offshore survivability in a ‘regulatory void’.
BK117 Offshore Medevac CFIT & Survivability Issues Read Post »
HH-60L Hoist Cable Damage Highlights Need for Cable Guards
Would you have spotted the potential for hoist cable damage on this modified emergency service helicopter?
HH-60L Hoist Cable Damage Highlights Need for Cable Guards Read Post »
Swinging Snorkel Sikorsky Smash: Structural Stress Slip-up
Inadequate consideration of loads during design resulted in a fractured mounting of a 15ft snorkel, which then struck the main rotor killing 4.
Swinging Snorkel Sikorsky Smash: Structural Stress Slip-up Read Post »
Main Rotor Blade Certification Anomaly in Fatal Canadian Accident
TSB uncover a difference in interpreting certification requirements applied to retrofit composite blades resulting in an omitted test.
Main Rotor Blade Certification Anomaly in Fatal Canadian Accident Read Post »
Guarding Against a Hoist Cable Cut
A human centred design case study on the human machine interface of hoist/SAR controls following an inadvertent cable cut on an AW139 in Australia.
Fire Extinguisher Cover Fenestron FOD
CCTV caught a HEMS FOD event and some bizarre dance moves.
Canadian B212 Crash: A Defective Production Process
Remarkable failures in critical parts control resulted in a fatal in-flight break-up.
Canadian B212 Crash: A Defective Production Process Read Post »
Fenestron Failure EC130B4 Hawaii
After the onset of vibration, an air tour pilot attempted a precautionary landing but yaw control was lost.