An unusual event, rapid innovation & collaboration and a good example why culpability decision aids can be a distraction.
When a Crew Intentionally Left Their Aircraft Running Knowing it Would Damage Itself… Read Post »
A VFR flight continued in deteriorating weather, over reliant on EFB data and attempting ‘improvised’ instrument approaches in IMC.
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT Read Post »
An error of just a few millimetres resulted in a Breeze-Eastern hoist cable being dropped by an AW139…
A Screw in the Wrong Place…A Loss of Hoist Cable Read Post »
A shocking flight following failure after a flat light North Slope CFIT/Water Impact.
Flat Light B206L4 Alaskan CFIT & 11 Hour Emergency Response Delay Read Post »
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 »
A SAR crewman slipped on the deck of a vessel and due to miscommunication was pulled overboard by their helicopter and dragged through the sea.
AS365 Crewman Dragged from Boat During SAR Training Read Post »
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 »
Loss of hover reference during a medevac from a ship leads to hoist cable contact, catastrophic damage and two serious injuries.
Two Rescuers Fell When Hoist Cable Damaged After a Loss of Hover Reference Read Post »
During a mountain rescue, hoisting a casualty aboard resulted in a catastrophic aircraft loss and two fatalities.
Korean SAR S-76B Mountain Rescue Accident 2020 Read Post »
A loss of control on approach to a helideck at night that completes a trilogy of case studies where visual cueing at offshore platforms is believed to have been a significant factor.
29 Seconds to Impact: A Fatal Night Offshore Approach in the Irish Sea Read Post »
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 »
Despite a slow emergency response, 2 passengers survive after pilot incapacitated 2 weeks after a Class 1 medical. Second fatal pilot incapacitation in GOM in 2022.
Two Offshore Passengers in GOM Survive Single Pilot Fatal Incapacitation Read Post »
The Aircraft Commander / Instructor died after a water impact during the first flight of a command course following a loss of control on approach to a NUI.
Fatal Offshore S-76C++ LOC-I & Water Impact Brazil 2022: CENIPA Investigation Read Post »
Lack of established procedures and lack of night/NVG over-water SAR recency feature in this 2012 USCG accident.
Fatal USCG SAR Training Flight: Inadvertent IMC Read Post »
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.
Night Offshore Helicopter Approach Water Impact Read Post »
We translate a South Korean report into an emergency service helicopter accident investigation. Spatial disorientation, use of automation and heliport management issues.
South Korean Night Black Hole Spatial Disorientation Fatal Helicopter Accident Read Post »
An aerial survey accident highlights problems implementing flight following technology, the dangerous use of marine lifejackets and the value of considering competence.
Helicopter Water Impact Accident: Safety of Airborne Geophysical Survey Operations Read Post »
We look at the accident investigation into a night offshore B212 accident.
Investigation into B212 Accident off UAE 7 September 2023 Read Post »
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 »
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 »
Two Australian occurrences were helicopters have triggered bushfires.
Twisted Firestarters Read Post »
The NTSB Preliminary Report is issued on what was the second RLC accident in 2 weeks.
A helicopter contracted by Spanish customs hit the sea at night when descending to intercept smugglers. The sensor operator in the cabin died.
Blinded by Light, Spanish Customs AS365 Crashed During Night-time Hot Pursuit Read Post »
An RCAF SAR crew were surprised when the Pilot Flying’s seat unexpectedly descended to its lowest position while hovering.
SAR Seat Slip Smash Read Post »
A loop of cable snagged on the MLG and the cable was severed. The aircraft was later released to fly with MLG damage.
SAR Hoist Cable Snag and Facture, Followed By Release of an Unserviceable Aircraft Read Post »
