S-76C+ MLG Collapsed Due to Pothole
An oil and gas helicopter suffered an accident when it struck a pothole In Louisiana.
S-76C+ MLG Collapsed Due to Pothole 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 »
AS350B2 Accident After Vibration from Unrecorded Maintenance
Four days before the accident the MRBs had been removed and re-installed. No RTB was done. While ground running at a remote site, increasing vibration triggered the pilot to lift off. NR was low and the helicopter tumbled down a slope.
AS350B2 Accident After Vibration from Unrecorded Maintenance Read Post »
ADA AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017: Final Report
The GCAA AAIS discuss the cause of a precautionary ditching and examine the performance of flotation and survival features.
ADA AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017: Final Report Read Post »
Japanese Rescue B412 Fatal CFIT
Distractions and fatigue were involved in a CFIT in Japan in which 9 rescuers died.
Japanese Rescue B412 Fatal CFIT Read Post »
A319 / Cougar Airprox at MRS: ATC Busy, Failed Transponder and Helicopter Filtered From Radar
BEA point to a series of human factors and technical problems in this near mid air collision.
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 »
RCMP AS350B3 Left Uncovered During Snowfall Fatally Loses Power on Take Off
The engine intake was left uncovered during a lunch break, when it had started to snow. This allowed ice to form that broke away and damaged the engine. Turns out similar happened at a US HEMS operator within 12 months.
RCMP AS350B3 Left Uncovered During Snowfall Fatally Loses Power on Take Off Read Post »
USAF CSAR HH-60G Downed by Geese in Norfolk, 7 January 2014
A night Combat SAR training mission took two helicopters low over marshland. The second helicopter was brought down by birds scared by the lead aircraft.
USAF CSAR HH-60G Downed by Geese in Norfolk, 7 January 2014 Read Post »
Fatal Biplane/Helicopter Mid Air Collision in Spain, 30 December 2017
At an uncontrolled aerodrome the Jungmann biplane struck the B412’s tail rotor. The biplane pilot died but all 10 POB on the firefighting helicopter survived.
Fatal Biplane/Helicopter Mid Air Collision in Spain, 30 December 2017 Read Post »
BFU Investigate S-76B Descending to 20ft at 40 kts En Route in Poor Visibility
The German safety investigation body, the BFU, has issued their final report into a serious incident that occurred to a Sikorsky S-76B returning from an offshore electricity sub-station.
BFU Investigate S-76B Descending to 20ft at 40 kts En Route in Poor Visibility Read Post »
Helicopter Tail Rotor Strike from Firefighting Bucket
A suspension cable became entangled on the skid tube, followed by the fracture of the TR shaft due to cable or bucket contact with the TR.
Helicopter Tail Rotor Strike from Firefighting Bucket Read Post »
AAIB Highlight Electronic Conspicuity and the Limitations of See and Avoid after Mid Air Collision
The C152 was unknowingly descending and overtaking the Cabri. with both aircraft in each other’s blindspot, showing the challenges of see and avoid.
SAR Crew With High Workload Land Wheels Up on Beach
JTSB look at an inadvertent wheels up landing during a SAR mission.
SAR Crew With High Workload Land Wheels Up on Beach Read Post »
Firefighting Helicopter Wire Strike
A helicopter was saved by cable cutters and an evasive manoeuvre when it struck wires near dusk when firefighting. Damage to a main rotor blade was not spotted for 3 days however.
Firefighting Helicopter Wire Strike Read Post »
Fallacy of ‘Training Out’ Error: Japanese AS332L1 Dropped Load
While the response to this incident did include a design change the operator couldn’t it seems resist ‘re-eduction’.
Fallacy of ‘Training Out’ Error: Japanese AS332L1 Dropped Load 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 »
Helicopter Engine Unapproved Repair Leads to Forced Landing Damage
An incorrect and unapproved repair of the engine compressor diffuser at an MRO resulted in failure of the compressor diffuser aft plate and partial loss of engine power.
Helicopter Engine Unapproved Repair Leads to Forced Landing Damage Read Post »
HEMS A109S Night Loss of Control Inflight: Excessive Cyclic Input in Missed Approach
The pilot and both medical personnel on board were seriously injured and the helicopter was destroyed in yet another night HEMS accident in the US.
HEMS A109S Night Loss of Control Inflight: Excessive Cyclic Input in Missed Approach Read Post »
Torched Tennessee Tour Trip (B206L N16760)
A B206 crash resistant fuel system mod has been available since 1994. No one has EVER bought the mod kit…
Torched Tennessee Tour Trip (B206L N16760) Read Post »
Inappropriate Autorotation Training: Police AS350
A US police AS350B3 Engine Off Landing was practiced on a part rocky, part boggy peninsular, 28 miles drive from emergency assistance. A hard landing damaged the helicopter but fortunately there were no injuries. NTSB highlight Airbus’ advice on such training.
Inappropriate Autorotation Training: Police AS350 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 »
US HEMS EC135P1 Dual Engine Failure: 7 July 2018
NTSB indicate that a pilot used to the glass cockpit EC135P2+, who had only a brief online differences course for the EC135P1, oversped both engines when they were inadvertently set to manual control. This had happened in a 2006 fatal accident too. A modification to help prevent this had only been fitted to 2 of the 17 P1s in the US fleet.
US HEMS EC135P1 Dual Engine Failure: 7 July 2018 Read Post »
Wayward Window: Fatal Loss of a Fire-Fighting Helicopter in NZ
Investigators describe how the sudden loss of a window as a consequence of flying in a prohibited configuration may have made the pilot pitch up, allowing the under-slung fire-fighting bucket to strike the tail rotor.
Wayward Window: Fatal Loss of a Fire-Fighting Helicopter in NZ Read Post »
Hard Landing after VRS on Approach to a Hospital Site
A Vortex Ring State developed during a tailwind approach to a hospital.
Hard Landing after VRS on Approach to a Hospital Site Read Post »