Design & Certification

Design Organisations / DOAs, Part 21, EMAR-21, DAOS, Aircraft Design, Aeronautical Engineering

Safety Lessons from a Fatal Helicopter Bird Strike: PHI Sikorsky S-76C++

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Offshore, Oil & Gas / IOGP / Energy, Regulation, Safety Management, Survivability / Ditching

We look at a fatal S-76C++ helicopter accident that highlights a range of certification, modification, crew alerting, training and emergency response lessons, and also discuss current activity on helicopter bird strike certification requirements.

Safety Lessons from a Fatal Helicopter Bird Strike: PHI Sikorsky S-76C++ Read Post »

CRJ-200 LOC-I Sweden 8 Jan 2016: SHK Investigation Results

Accidents & Incidents, Crises / Emergency Response / SAR, Design & Certification, Fixed Wing, Human Factors / Performance, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Regulation, Safety Management

Accident investigators make observations on human factors, training, instrumentation design, airworthiness reporting and SAR after the fatal LOC-I of a cargo CRJ-200 in Sweden in an accident reminiscent of AF447.

CRJ-200 LOC-I Sweden 8 Jan 2016: SHK Investigation Results Read Post »

Facebook Aquila Drone Accident: Gust Induced Structural Failure

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Fixed Wing, Safety Management, Special Mission Aircraft, Unmanned (Drone / RPAS / UAS / UAV)

The innovative 140ft span Facebook Aquila solar powered internet relay drone had an in-flight structural failure due to gusts during its first landing say NTSB. Flight control system changes are planned.

Facebook Aquila Drone Accident: Gust Induced Structural Failure Read Post »

Fatal B1900C Accident: NTSB Safety Recommendation on PT6A To Error-Proof the Beta Arm

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Fixed Wing, Human Factors / Performance, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Safety Management

The NTSB recommend short term safety promotion and a long term error-proof re-design to prevent a reoccurring loss of propeller thrust after incorrect assembly.

Fatal B1900C Accident: NTSB Safety Recommendation on PT6A To Error-Proof the Beta Arm Read Post »

AAIB Annual Safety Review for 2015

Accidents & Incidents, Business Aviation, Design & Certification, Fixed Wing, Helicopters, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Safety Management, Unmanned (Drone / RPAS / UAS / UAV)

The UK AAIB has published their Annual Safety Review in a radical new format. It has analysis of investigations, an overview of recommendations and articles on the use of drones and the time needed for investigations.

AAIB Annual Safety Review for 2015 Read Post »

AS350 Flying Hours

EASA Consult on Proposed AD on AS350B3 / H125 Hydraulics

Accidents & Incidents, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Regulation, Safety Management

EASA is consulting on making 2 available, but not widely adopted, modifications mandatory in response to inadvertent operations of a hydraulic test switch that can result in Loss of Control – Inflight.

EASA Consult on Proposed AD on AS350B3 / H125 Hydraulics Read Post »

Business Aviation Compliance With Pre Take-off Flight Control Checks

Accidents & Incidents, Airfields / Heliports / Helidecks, Business Aviation, Design & Certification, FDM / Data Recorders, Fixed Wing, Human Factors / Performance, Safety Culture, Safety Management, Survivability / Ditching

Following an NTSB recommendation the NBAA has used FDM/FOQA data to look at how often critical Take Off checks are being missed and its almost 1 time in 5.

Business Aviation Compliance With Pre Take-off Flight Control Checks Read Post »

UK CAA CAP1145: 2nd Update on North Sea Helicopter Safety (CAP1386)

Accidents & Incidents, Airfields / Heliports / Helidecks, Design & Certification, Helicopters, Human Factors / Performance, HUMS / VHM / UMS / IVHM, Maintenance / Continuing Airworthiness / CAMOs, Offshore, Oil & Gas / IOGP / Energy, Regulation, Safety Culture, Safety Management, Survivability / Ditching

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 »

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