A loose fuel tank cover on a motor yacht was blown free by a landing helicopter’s rotor downwash, struck the rotor, resulting in a water impact.
FOD and an AS350B3 Accident Landing on a Yacht in Bergen Read Post »
Bell Helicopter issues an ASB but it takes 6 months for an ‘Emergency’ AD and compliance by the operator. However, critical damage was missed.
Bell 429 TR Pitch Change Link Bearing Failure Read Post »
An AW139 helicopter made a precautionary ditching off Abu Dhabi on 29 April 2017 after loss of drive to the MGB cooling fan.
AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017 Read Post »
In light of the LN-OJF investigation (and the earlier G-REDL accident) we look at this Critical Part in more detail.
Super Puma Second Stage Planet Gear Background Read Post »
EASA is tightening the regulation of safety-critical aeronautical navigation databases from Jan 2019 (topically after concerns were raised by the Irish AAIU after an S-92A accident).
EASA Decisions on Management of Aeronautical Databases / Part-DAT Read Post »
The undetected failure of a TR pitch change bearing resulted in a horrific winching accident in Taiwan, in which two people died. We delve into the ASC’s final report (only published in full in Chinese).
AS365N3 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Loss During Hoisting Read Post »
During a post-maintenance check flight the main rotor separated from an R44 after a maintenance assembly error.
Insecure Pitch Link Fatal R44 Accident Read Post »
Good leaders inspire trust but there is a Dutch proverb: “Trust comes on foot, but leaves on horseback.” We discuss why trust is important in developing an organisation’s culture to overcome blame and fear and how behaviour is key.
Leadership and Trust Read Post »
News and photos from HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, TX (6-9 March 2017).
Heli-Expo 2017 Photo Report Read Post »
A delay waiting for passengers from SGS to complete their work on a tanker in Galveston Bay meant this Bell 206B3 attempted a night flight back to shore.
Deadly Delay: GOM B206B3 Helicopter Night Accident 6 Feb 2017 Read Post »
An engine compressor failure while installing power line markers resulted in an unsurvivable impact and fire.
Fatal H500 / 369D Low Altitude Hover Power Loss: Power Line Maintenance Project Read Post »
A difference in understanding between pilot and loadmaster meant the surprise attachment of an external load, a sudden ‘jerk’ during take off and an emergency landing that damaged the helicopter.
Unexpected Load: AS350B3 USL / External Cargo Accident in Norway Read Post »
Aerossurance’s Andy Evans was invited to write an article for the International Federation of Airworthiness “Airworthiness Matters” publication on Next Generation Maintenance Human Factors.
Airworthiness Matters: Next Generation Maintenance Human Factors Read Post »
An ATSB report into an Australian RPAS/UAS LOC accident highlights the importance of HF in ground station design and of data entry verification.
Drone Goes Walkabout: Hemispherical Human Factors Hiccup Read Post »
Investigators point to ‘overaggressive manoeuvre’ on take-off on a positioning flight back to base. Both occupants were seriously injured. The damaged helicopter span 50 times down heliport.
EC130B4 Loss of Control on Take-Off in Dubai Read Post »
We examine a recent total loss of tail rotor control to an offshore helicopter in the North Sea and previous similar occurrences.
CHC Scotia Sikorsky S-92A Loss of Tail Rotor Control Events Read Post »
A pilot reported a restriction of cyclic movement on a Sikorsky S-92A. We look what was found.
S-92A Flying Control Restriction on Wiring Loom Read Post »
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 »
We look back on our top aviation and safety articles of 2016. We thank all our readers for their support in 2016 and hope we can continue to prove a valuable source of information and insight in 2017!
Our Top 10 Articles of 2016 Read Post »
AirMed and Rescue published an article in their Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 issue by Aerossurance’s Andy Evans on how to tender and contract for contracted Search and Rescue (SAR) and medevac services.
The Tender Trap: SAR and Medevac Contract Design Read Post »
A change in approved lubricant for the fuel injection servo but an excessive amount was used. A prompt 12 days from incident to recall.
Robinson R44 Power Loss: Excessive Lubricant Read Post »
The lack of effective risk assessment and landing site data jumps out in this TSB report as does a casual approach to some pre-flight preparation. There are survivability lessons too.
Fatal Wire Strike on Take Off from Communications Site Read Post »
EASA has issued Amendment 4 to the Certification Standards for large (CS-29) and small (CS-27) rotorcraft. We look at the changes.
CS-27 and CS-29 Amendment 4 Issued Read Post »
The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators SAFO 16016. They discuss one accident were a take-off was attempted with one engine at idle.
Stabilised Hover Prevents Loss of Control Accidents Say FAA Read Post »
This Opinion addresses a safety issue linked with a wrong airworthiness assessment of the aircraft status due to incomplete technical records.
EASA Opinion on Technical Records (Opinion 13/2016) Read Post »
