AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture
US Air Ambulance AW169 survives birdstrike encounter with Texan Turkey Vulture.
AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture Read Post »
Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike
The SA CAA preliminary report confirms this J41 suffered a bird strike with what is “the world’s heaviest flying bird” species (up to 19 kg). Debris went through the cabin. Fortuitously the pax in that row had moved.
Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike Read Post »
Why a Collective Control Came Loose in a Pilot’s Hand…
Five months earlier a difficult to detect latent defect was introduced.
Why a Collective Control Came Loose in a Pilot’s Hand… Read Post »
Bell 407 Rolls-Royce 250-C47B Uncontained Engine Failure after Bearing Failure
Shortly after maintenance a B407 suffered an uncontained engine failure after an apparent engine oil loss.
Bell 407 Rolls-Royce 250-C47B Uncontained Engine Failure after Bearing Failure Read Post »
AD after Two Fatal Bell 430 Accidents: Main Rotor – Pitch Link Clevis Fractures Angola and South Africa
AD issued to inspect the B430 main rotor pitch link clevis after the second of two accidents that cost the lives of 11 people.
EC130 Door Loss Damaged Main Rotor Blades
A design deficiency was addressed by a subsequent Airworthiness Directive.
EC130 Door Loss Damaged Main Rotor Blades Read Post »
Military SAR H225M Caracal Double Hoist Fatality Accident
BEA-E identify a range of possible factors for the jamming of a hoist and severing of the hoist cable during a military training exercise.
Military SAR H225M Caracal Double Hoist Fatality Accident Read Post »
USAF MQ-9A Reaper Lever Confusion: Human Factors
We look at a takeoff accident to a USAF UAS where the engine condition lever was retarded instead of the flaps being retracted.
USAF MQ-9A Reaper Lever Confusion: Human Factors Read Post »
The Curious Case of the Missing Shear Pin that Didn’t Shear: A Fatal Powerline Stringing Accident
A key component was never recovered, investigators seem to have misunderstood their own laboratory’s report on another and the NTSB conclusions omit to identify the evident failure of a shear pin to correctly perform its safety function as a factor.
BEA Point to Inadequate Maintenance Data and Possible Non-Conforming Fasteners in ATR 42 Door Loss
At top of descent a 15 kg MLG door separated causing damage. Maintenance data “complex and contained error” and allowed “allowed nuts to be reused without checking their self-locking capability”.
RCAF Investigate Defect on Newly Delivered CH-148 Cyclone (S-92)
Terminal wire lugs T1, T2 & T3 were found unsecured. T1 was missing its securing nut, washer and lockwasher but was still contacting its terminal stud. T2 & T3 were found hand tight.
RCAF Investigate Defect on Newly Delivered CH-148 Cyclone (S-92) Read Post »
Engine Shutdown Results in Revised SOV Rigging Instructions
A rare engine failure mode related to miss-rigging a Shut Off Valve. The investigation triggered enhancing maintenance instructions.
Engine Shutdown Results in Revised SOV Rigging Instructions Read Post »
Fatal US Helicopter Air Ambulance Accident: One Engine was Failing but Serviceable Engine Shutdown
PSM+ICR: A propulsion system malfunction (a failing No 2 engine) was followed by an inappropriate crew response (shutting down the No 1 engine). The NTSB show how the pilot may not have been familiar with how the helicopter’s displays respond in emergencies.
Grand Canyon Air Tour Tragic Tailwind Landing Accident
A Loss of Control – Inflight during a downwind approach to a busy remote landing site. The helicopter crashed in a difficult to access gully and caught fire. It took almost 10 hours for survivors to reach hospital. Five of the 7 occupants died.
Grand Canyon Air Tour Tragic Tailwind Landing Accident Read Post »
NZ Firefighting AS350 Accident: Role Equipment Design Issues
The sling for the underslung fire-fighting bucket contacted the tail rotor resulting in a loss of control. Investigators identified a vulnerability in the bucket’s design and shortcomings in promulgating essential design data to operators.
NZ Firefighting AS350 Accident: Role Equipment Design Issues Read Post »
AS350B3/H125 Bird Strike with Red Kite
The BEA report that during descent a bird shattered the left-hand windscreen and injured the front seat passenger. The pilot was able to make a safe landing.
AS350B3/H125 Bird Strike with Red Kite Read Post »
Fire-Fighting AS350 Hydraulics Accident: Dormant Miswiring
Hydraulics control system wiring had been misconnected 16 years earlier and repeatedly missed during checks. When inadvertently activated, the “HYD” cut-off caused the TR servo-valve compensator to make the aircraft uncontrollable say GPIAAF.
Fire-Fighting AS350 Hydraulics Accident: Dormant Miswiring Read Post »
King Air 100 Uncontained TPE331-6 Failure – Inappropriate Repair Scheme
A failed brazed stator assembly repair resulted in an uncontained turbine failure. The investigation identified apparent omissions in a DER produced repair scheme.
King Air 100 Uncontained TPE331-6 Failure – Inappropriate Repair Scheme Read Post »
Deadly Dusk Air Ambulance Bird Strike
An air ambulance in cruise at c 1,000 ft struck multiple geese, crashing with the loss of 3 lives. At dusk the bird strike risk in that area was ‘severe’ according to USAF modelling, available online as a planning tool.
Deadly Dusk Air Ambulance Bird Strike Read Post »
Dash 8 Q400 Control Anomalies: 1 Worn Cable and 1 Mystery
The AAIB identify weaknesses in maintenance practices relating to flying control cables, an unrelated anomaly that has occurred on a number of Q400s and a weakness in how the Q400 FDR processes data that has been solved only for US operators.
Dash 8 Q400 Control Anomalies: 1 Worn Cable and 1 Mystery Read Post »
Gust Lock Gaff: King Air A90 Runway Excursion
Degraded gust locks, an omission in familiarisation, a non-specific checklist and inadequate pre-flight checks all feature in this survey aircraft runway excursion.
Gust Lock Gaff: King Air A90 Runway Excursion Read Post »
OH-58C Crash After MRB Fatigue Crack
This accident begs further questions about the FAA approach to ex-military helicopters and the adequacy of continued airworthiness activity of non-OEM TC Holders.
OH-58C Crash After MRB Fatigue Crack Read Post »
AS350B3 Rolls Over: Pilot Caught Out By Engine Control Differences
A pilot familiar with controls on the Arriel 2B1 powered AS350B3 got caught out preparing to take off in a 2B powered aircraft while simultaneously the collective was not properly locked.
AS350B3 Rolls Over: Pilot Caught Out By Engine Control Differences Read Post »
CFM56 HPC Titanium Fire Due to VSV Maintenance Assembly Error
We look at a change in maintenance practices after this incident and prompt safety collaboration to inform fellow MROs.
CFM56 HPC Titanium Fire Due to VSV Maintenance Assembly Error Read Post »
Emirates B777 Runway Impact During Attempted Go-Around, 3 August 2016, Dubai: Accident Report
The final report into a dramatic accident in Dubai featured automation and emergency response aspects.