Heli-Expo 2020 Photo Report
Photos from HAI Heli-Expo 2020 in Anaheim, CA.
Heli-Expo 2020 Photo Report Read Post »
EC135 Main Rotor Actuator Tie-Bar Failure
An accident to a police helicopter in the Caribbean resulted in a worldwide check for corrosion in flying control actuators.
EC135 Main Rotor Actuator Tie-Bar Failure Read Post »
BK117B2 Air Ambulance Flameout: Fuel Transfer Pumps OFF, Caution Lights Invisible in NVG Modified Cockpit
Dimming the NVG compatible cockpit lighting for a flight at dusk meant the fuel transfer pump caution lights were invisible. The failure to turn these pumps on was only evident after flameout. We wrote of this problem 14 months earlier after a NZ HEMS accident.
Luftwaffe VVIP Global 5000 Written Off After Flying Control Assembly Error
A maintenance error results in severe flight control problems and damage that wrote off a German VVIP business jet.
Luftwaffe VVIP Global 5000 Written Off After Flying Control Assembly Error Read Post »
Tight Cable Tie Nose Gear Jam
Damage to a harness by a rigid tie wrap was enough to eventually cause a nose landing gear jam, in a previously not foreseen failure mode.
Tight Cable Tie Nose Gear Jam Read Post »
AS350 Tail Rotor Control Incident, Grand Cayman
The pilot made a safe run on landing. The TGB actuating rod had failed. An EASA AD followed.
AS350 Tail Rotor Control Incident, Grand Cayman Read Post »
Severe Propeller Vibrations on ATR 72-212A: BEA Report
In July 2019 the BEA reported on a series of propeller incidents that occurred due to a vibratory phenomena that was not uncovered in certification testing.
Severe Propeller Vibrations on ATR 72-212A: BEA Report Read Post »
Usage Related Ex-Military Helicopter Accident
So you thought the UH-1H was a Bell product? Not to the FAA. Small third party ‘TC Holders’ are responsible for assessing the airworthiness impact of usage changes for ageing ex-military helicopters.
Usage Related Ex-Military Helicopter Accident Read Post »
Tail Rotor Lightning Strip Damages AW139 Main Rotor
The MRB damage made this occurrence meet the criteria for an accident say NTSB. A design change followed to avoid a production process that introduced micro-pitting.
Tail Rotor Lightning Strip Damages AW139 Main Rotor Read Post »
ERJ-190 Flying Control Rigging Error
Portuguese accident investigators say an incorrect aileron control cable system installation was not detected despite an FLT CTRL NO DISPATCH message and 11 days of troubleshooting or by pre-flight crew checks.
ERJ-190 Flying Control Rigging Error Read Post »
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 »
A Failure in Propeller Design and Certification Resulted in the Loss of an EMB-120 in 1991
In 1991 a minor modification, changing a surface treatment, triggered accelerated wear and a catastrophic propeller failure. The FAA conducted a Special Certification Review. A failsafe design and certification rule changes followed.
Easyjet A320 Flap / Landing Gear Mis-selections
AAIB examine the human factors related to a number of flap / landing gear mis-selections.
Easyjet A320 Flap / Landing Gear Mis-selections Read Post »
Merlin Night Airprox: Systemic Issues
Ambitious training, poorly integrated equipment with no policy on its use, u/s transponders and reduced radar coverage all feature in this airprox with two ASW helicopters.
Merlin Night Airprox: Systemic Issues Read Post »
MC-12W Loss of Control Orbiting Over Afghanistan: Lessons in Training and Urgent Operational Requirements
A very low experience on type flight crew had been paired together. Surprisingly little comment is made by investigators of insufficient certification testing of the modified aircraft and the failure to act after 4 prior ‘near catastrophic’ stall events.
Software Bug and High Winds Down Drone
AAIB comment that new operators with little, or no, previous aviation experience are developing procedures for small un-certified UAS which presents a challenge to ensure safe operation of this expanding area of aviation.
Software Bug and High Winds Down Drone Read Post »
HF of the Selection of Parking Brake Instead of Speed Brake During a Hectic Approach
AAIB examine the human factors related to the mistaken selection of a parking brake instead of the speed brake that was the precursor to an ERJ145 runway excursion at Bristol.
HF of the Selection of Parking Brake Instead of Speed Brake During a Hectic Approach Read Post »
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 »
British Midland Boeing 737-400 G-OBME Fatal Accident, Kegworth 8 January 1989
Fan flutter triggered a fan blade failure that was misdiagnosed. 47 died in the crash near the Leicestershire village of Kegworth.
British Midland Boeing 737-400 G-OBME Fatal Accident, Kegworth 8 January 1989 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 »
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 »
In-Flight Flying Control Failure: Indonesian Sikorsky S-76C+ PK-FUP
The investigators’ final report confirms that control was lost after a flying control connection failed after a loss of torque and progressive wear to the point of separation from the rod end. This accident highlights the need to make timely progress in accident investigations.
In-Flight Flying Control Failure: Indonesian Sikorsky S-76C+ PK-FUP Read Post »
Improvised Troubleshooting After Cascading A330 Avionics Problems
An XL Airways A330 suffered a cascading series of failures. The BEA look at the human factors aspects of the incident.
Improvised Troubleshooting After Cascading A330 Avionics Problems Read Post »
Singapore Airlines B777 41t Fuel Discrepancy Incident
We summarise a TSIB report into how an SIA B777 took off with a 41t fuel discrepancy (after a combination of aircraft system failure and erroneous verification of the fuel quantity).
Singapore Airlines B777 41t Fuel Discrepancy Incident Read Post »
“Delivering Our Priorities”: HeliOffshore 2018 Conference Report
We report from the fourth HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on ‘Delivering Our Priorities’ for improved offshore helicopter safety.
“Delivering Our Priorities”: HeliOffshore 2018 Conference Report Read Post »