US Vehicle Regulator in Firing Line The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been criticized by politicians and safety advocates this week for its handling of critical safety defects with the air bags on millions of vehicles. It is reported that: The faulty air bags can explode with too much force and spray shrapnel at […]
US Vehicle Regulator in Firing Line Read Post »
European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST) Issues New Publications on Technology & SMS EHEST have released two new publications, one on accident reducing technologies and the other on SMS for non-complex operators: The Potential of Technologies to Mitigate Helicopter Accident Factors – An EHEST Study EHEST created a Specialist Team Technology (ST Technology) to assess the potential of
EHEST: New Publications on Technology & SMS Read Post »
New Helicopter Cargo Loading System Dutch engineering company VRR is working with AgustaWestland to design a helicopter Cabin Cargo Container and Restraint System for the AW139 helicopter, anticipating it will be of interest in the offshore oil and gas industry for transport of spares and equipment. Certainly with a large drillship costing $500k per day to
New Helicopter Cargo Loading System Read Post »
Very Very Important Person (VVIP) AW101 There are a number of nations introducing the AgustaWestland AW101 into VVIP service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfm3XM82SuQ&feature=player_detailpage In the VVIP role the large AW101 cabin has the flexibility to be fitted out in a wide range of configurations. One easy way to visualise potential cabin layout options is now offered by 3D printing techniques. The
HUMS Maintenance Credit Contract Awarded to Aerossurance by the Military Aviation Authority Aberdeen based aviation consultancy Aerossurance has won a competitively tendered contract for a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) maintenance credit project from the UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA). Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the MAA is an independent and autonomous organization responsible for the
Aerossurance Wins MAA HUMS Maintenance Credit Contract Read Post »
Spectacular images of DC-10 fire fighting.
DC-10 Air Tanker Retardant Drop Read Post »
GM Ignition Switch Debacle – Safety Lessons General Motors has faced intense criticism, large fines, on-going court cases and big rectification costs after mishandling a dangerous design fault in millions of vehicles. So are there safety lessons for other organisations? Aerossurance thinks so. Some have commented that this is a case of corporate complacency while others, similar to Edward
GM Ignition Switch Debacle – Safety Lessons Read Post »
Offshore Helicopter Safety Action Group (OHSAG) The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published the minutes of the latest, 14 August 2014, meeting of the Offshore Helicopter Safety Action Group (OHSAG). The OHSAG was formed as a result of the ‘Civil Aviation Authority Safety Review of Offshore Public Transport Helicopter Operations in Support of the Exploitation of Oil
Offshore Helicopter Safety Action Group & OGUK Helicopter Briefing Read Post »
UK Airborne Anti-Pollution Assets The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued this video in 2011 on their anti-pollution airborne dispersant spraying and surveillance assets. The video describes their two sesnor equipped surveillance aircraft. It goes onto show their airborne dispersant spray capability being demonstrated in Lyme Bay, using both a small Cessna Caravan II and a Lockheed
UK Airborne Anti-Pollution Assets Read Post »
In 2014 Leonardo gained EASA certification of a new laser based obstacle warning system to help protect helicopters from rotor strikes.
Leonardo Helicopter Obstacle Proximity LIDAR System (OPLS) Read Post »
RPAS (or Unmanned Air Vehicle / Systems [UAV/UAS]) are a hot topic internationally at the moment. The House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament, is to hold an inquiry into the civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in the European Union. Written evidence is sought by Friday 19 September 2014.
House of Lords Inquiry into Civil RPAS Read Post »
Taranis The UK designed and built Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator, the BAE Systems Taranis, first flew on 10 August 2013. Named after the Celtic god of thunder, this £185 million programme, involving BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths), QinetiQ and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Powered by a modified Rolls-Royce Adour
UK MAA to Integrate EMAR-21 into MRPs (Updated: RA 5800 Series Issued August 2016) The UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA) have issued a Regulatory Notice outlining its plans to integrate EMAR-21 (the European Military Airworthiness Requirement Part 21) into the MAA Regulatory Publications (MRP) Design and Modification Engineering (DME) 5000 series. When the MRPs were first issued in 2011, the 5000
UK MAA to Integrate EMAR-21 into MRPs Read Post »
Two accident reports highlight a potential higher risk of CFIT at extreme latitudes. That risk is not to do with the geography but with database limitations of some TAWS.
Extreme Latitudes – Extra CFIT Risk Read Post »
EASA Launch Helicopter Gearbox Lubrication Rule Making The first meeting was held last week of a new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Rule Making Team (RMT.0608) on helicopter gearbox lubrication. The Terms of Reference (ToR) and Group Composition (GC) are here. This activity follows European/US/Canadian dialogue after the loss of Cougar Sikorsky S-92A C-GZCH Flight 491 off Newfoundland,
EASA Launch Helicopter Gearbox Lubrication Rule Making Read Post »
EASA Launch Rule Making Team on In-flight Recording for Light Aircraft The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has launched a Rule Making Team (RMT.0271 & 0272 [MDM.073 (a) & (b)]) on in-flight recording for light aircraft. The Terms of Reference (ToR) and Group Composition (GC) are here. By way of definition the ToRs state: …‘in-flight
EASA Launch Rule Making Team on In-flight Recording for Light Aircraft Read Post »
Technology Friend or Foe – Automation in Offshore Helicopter Operations In London 3-4 July 2014 the Royal Aeronautical Society held a landmark conference on the introduction of automation to offshore helicopters titled: Technology: Friend or Foe? This RAeS conference was triggered by: a CFIT accident on approach to Sumburgh airport in August 2013 (AS332L2 G-WNSB), the issue, a few
Technology Friend or Foe – Automation in Offshore Helicopter Operations Read Post »
19 July 1989: Sioux City On 19 July 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 N1819U, en-route from Denver to Chicago, suffered an uncontained failure of the number 2 General Electric CF6 engine’s fan disc. This resulted in crippling damage to the aircraft’s hydraulics and flight controls. The crew under Captain Al Haynes managed to control the
19 July 1989: Sioux City Read Post »
Hong Kong Harbour AW139 Ditching – HKCAD Report Issued The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) have issued their report into the ditching of AgustaWestland AW139, B-MHJ, operated by Macau based East Asia Airlines Limited (trading as SkyShuttle), in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour on 3 July 2010. From the synopsis: The helicopter took off from Sheung
Hong Kong Harbour AW139 Ditching – HKCAD Report Issued Read Post »
B206B Freewheel Accidents in Sweden & Canada Bell 206B registration SE-HOM, operated by Fiskflyg, was engaged in a periodic Operator Proficiency Check in the vicinity of Porjus in Sweden on 8 November 2012, when an accident occurred. The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission [SHK]) published their final report on 3 July 2014. They reported: Shortly after touchdown
B206B Freewheel Accidents in Sweden & Canada Read Post »
There are a host of human factors, automation, crashworthiness, survivability and emergency response lessons from this 2013 accident.
Asiana B777 Accident at SFO 6 July 2013 Read Post »
Airbus Report: Commercial Aviation Accidents 1958-2013 – A Statistical Analysis Airbus have published an analysis report on accidents to western-built commercial air transport jets since 1958. Airbus identify 4 generations of aircraft. Over time the usage of these generations has changed. Of particular interest is Airbus’ claim that the 4th generation has halved the fatal
Airbus Report: Commercial Aviation Accidents 1958-2013 – A Statistical Analysis Read Post »
Fixed Wing Accident & Incident Digest There have been a number of interesting air accident reports or updates recently on a range of fixed wing accidents and incidents, each with unique lessons. 1) Loss of propeller control during descent causes fatal DHC-8 forced landing in Papua New Guinea On 15 June 2014 the Papua New Guinea
Fixed Wing Accident & Incident Digest Read Post »
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) 2014-12-52 on 10 June 2014 in response to a production defect on the Honeywell TFE731 engine type. This was prompted by reports of 2nd stage Low Pressure Turbine (LPT2) blade separations due to casting anomalies at or near the root of the LPT2 blade. The EAD requires review of maintenance
Emergency AD – Honeywell TFE731 Engines Read Post »
In addition to being an already active member of Oil & Gas UK, the trade association that speaks for the whole UK offshore sector, Aerossurance has been accepted as a member of ADS, the trade body advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Industries, globally. Follow us on LinkedIn for our latest updates.
Aerossurance joins ADS Read Post »
