Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT
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 »
Cold Comfort Conference Call: USAF F-35A Alaska Accident
A $196.5 mn organisational accident: a conference call and a contaminated barrel.
Cold Comfort Conference Call: USAF F-35A Alaska Accident Read Post »
Air India B787 GEnx-1B In Flight Shut Down After Maintenance Error 5 Years Earlier
A latent failure introduced during maintenance was dormant for 5 years.
Air India B787 GEnx-1B In Flight Shut Down After Maintenance Error 5 Years Earlier Read Post »
EC155 / Light Aircraft Mid Air Collision: All Survive
Miraculous escape after EC155 / light aircraft collision. Only helicopter crew saw the other aircraft but <2 seconds before collision.
EC155 / Light Aircraft Mid Air Collision: All Survive Read Post »
UK CAA HOFO ACAS Rulemaking 2025 & a 2004 Tornado / AS332L Airprox
UK CAA are proposing making ACAS II mandatory for offshore helicopters: we look back to the 2004 incident that prompted a demonstration that ACAS II was practical for helicopters.
UK CAA HOFO ACAS Rulemaking 2025 & a 2004 Tornado / AS332L Airprox Read Post »
Startled Shutdown: Fatal USAF E-11A Global Express PSM+ICR Accident
A fan blade off event leads to an engine automatic shutdown. The crew shut down the serviceable engine and choose to divert 200 NM further than necessary leading to a forced landing.
Startled Shutdown: Fatal USAF E-11A Global Express PSM+ICR Accident Read Post »
DA62 Forced Landing After Double Engine Shutdown Due to Multiple Electrical Issues
NTSB were unable to identify the cause of the initiating electrical failure but did identify two battery issues, one connected to a maintenance error & inadequate functional test requirement.
DA62 Forced Landing After Double Engine Shutdown Due to Multiple Electrical Issues Read Post »
Crew Confusion in Firefighting 737 Terrain Impact
A lack of a common understanding on minimum drop height was a factor in this 737 striking rising ground after a fire bombing run in Australia
Crew Confusion in Firefighting 737 Terrain Impact Read Post »
Deadly Delay: Catastrophic USAF CV-22B Osprey Gear Box Failure
We review the USAF AIB report, looking at the catastrophic gear box failure and decision making seemingly influence by low risk awareness and commitment to completing the flight.
Deadly Delay: Catastrophic USAF CV-22B Osprey Gear Box Failure Read Post »
“Sensation Seeking” Survey Fatal Accident
After completing a low level geophysical survey, a PA-31 was flown even lower back to base, hitting a powerline just 70 ft AGL.
Undetected Cross Connection Maintenance Error Resulted in a DA42 Hard Landing During a Maintenance Check Flight
Wear is found during a check that results in a rare flying control maintenance task, poorly described in the AMM. Its unrecorded and delegated to an apprentice with insufficient supervision. We examine the maintenance human factors involved.
In-Flight Break-up of King Air C90 After Wing Spar Repaired Against Manufacturer’s Advice
The wing spar failed from fatigue cracking elsewhere in the wing that was missed during the same inspection.
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident
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 »
Oil & Gas Aerial Survey Aircraft Collided with Communications Tower
TSB suggest glare from the sun prevented visual detection of a communications tower by a C172 survey crew.
Oil & Gas Aerial Survey Aircraft Collided with Communications Tower Read Post »
Double Trouble: Offshore Surveillance P68 Forced to Glide
An offshore border surveillance P68C suffered two engine power loss failure modes in quick succession. One may have been sabotage.
Double Trouble: Offshore Surveillance P68 Forced to Glide Read Post »
Dornier 328-100 Crossed Apron During Runway Excursion
Fortuitously no aircraft were struck as this Do328 TP left the runway, crossed the airport apron and stopped 3 m from the boundary fence by a hangar. The AIB report identifies a PCU failure but focuses on the crew response rather than the PCU defect.
Dornier 328-100 Crossed Apron During Runway Excursion Read Post »
How One Missing Washer Burnt Out a Boeing 737
During maintenance 6 weeks earlier on a difficult to access nut, a washer fell off before the nut was fitted.
DC3-TP67 CFIT: Result-Oriented Subculture & SMS Shelfware
Operating VFR in IMC had become a norm and as workload increased the aircraft commander “adopted a single-pilot mindset”. TSB reveal a consultant’s self-licking shelfware SMS re-write.
DC3-TP67 CFIT: Result-Oriented Subculture & SMS Shelfware Read Post »
Limitations of See and Avoid: Four Die in HEMS Helicopter / PA-28 Mid Air Collision
Four people died in a mid air collision while two aircraft were making training flights. Investigators dispute the effectiveness of see and avoid.
Limitations of See and Avoid: Four Die in HEMS Helicopter / PA-28 Mid Air Collision Read Post »
Business Jet Apron Jet Blast Injury
Escorting passengers behind a recently arrived GX that had is anti-collision lights on proved unwise when the GX started to taxi. One passenger was blown over and knocked unconscious.
Dry Ice Packing Error Incapacitated Pilot on Taxiway
Packages of food were overfilled with dry ice leading to a dangerous build up of carbon dioxide in the cockpit of a cargo aircraft.
Dry Ice Packing Error Incapacitated Pilot on Taxiway 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 »
Brake Failure Causes PA-31 Runway Excursion During Taxi
After being stored for 7 months, the brakes failed on this PA-31. Inadequate storage checks suspected.
Brake Failure Causes PA-31 Runway Excursion During Taxi Read Post »
Alpine MAC ANSV Report: Ascending AS350B3 and Descending Jodel D.140E Collided Over Glacier
A Mid Air Collision, caught dramatically on video, that highlights the difficulty of visually detecting other aircraft in Class G airspace.
NTSB Report on Miami Air International Jacksonville B737-800 Runway Excursion
In a thunderstorm, this 737 hydroplaned after an unstable approach. NTSB comment on PF’s plan continuation bias and the PM’s lack of experience. The FAA has issued further guidance on calculating landing lengths and imposed a fine on an MRO who had conducted defective work on rafts and slides.
NTSB Report on Miami Air International Jacksonville B737-800 Runway Excursion Read Post »