Brexit and Aviation
We look at the recent industry / Department for Exiting the EU joint statement on Brexit and aviation.
Brexit and Aviation Read Post »
AAIB Annual Safety Review for 2015
The UK AAIB has published their Annual Safety Review in a radical new format. It has analysis of investigations, an overview of recommendations and articles on the use of drones and the time needed for investigations.
AAIB Annual Safety Review for 2015 Read Post »
USMC CH-53E Readiness Crisis and Mid Air Collision Catastrophe
A readiness crisis in the CH-53E fleet triggered the dramatic firing of the Squadron CO and a fatal mid air collision that killed 12 marines days later.
USMC CH-53E Readiness Crisis and Mid Air Collision Catastrophe Read Post »
Offshore Renewables Aviation Guidance (ORAG) Issued
The ORAG provides a framework to develop consistent and coherent aviation support strategies for the offshore energy industry.
Offshore Renewables Aviation Guidance (ORAG) Issued Read Post »
NHV Heliport Officially Opened in Aberdeen
NHV Heliport Officially Opened in Aberdeen The official opening of the NHV facility at Aberdeen Airport in Scotland occurred today. Following opening comments by Eric Van Hal (NHV CEO) and Jamie John (Base Manager Aberdeen), the facility was officially opened by Deirdre Michie (CEO Oil & Gas UK) and Simon Gray (CEO EEEGR). Deirdre Michie commented on
NHV Heliport Officially Opened in Aberdeen Read Post »
CFIT Gangnam Style – Korean S-76C++ and Decision Making
Despite poor visibility the crew of an executive helicopter pressed on and collided with a 39 storey building in Seoul. We look at the safety lessons.
CFIT Gangnam Style – Korean S-76C++ and Decision Making Read Post »
EASA Consult on Proposed AD on AS350B3 / H125 Hydraulics
EASA is consulting on making 2 available, but not widely adopted, modifications mandatory in response to inadvertent operations of a hydraulic test switch that can result in Loss of Control – Inflight.
EASA Consult on Proposed AD on AS350B3 / H125 Hydraulics Read Post »
EDA European Military Airworthiness Certification Criteria (EMACC)
We look at the EMACC and how they can be used to establish the Type Certification Basis for a Military Air System.
EDA European Military Airworthiness Certification Criteria (EMACC) Read Post »
UK CAA CAP1145: 2nd Update on North Sea Helicopter Safety (CAP1386)
UK CAA issue their second update following the Feb 2014 CAP1145 report (‘Safety review of offshore public transport helicopter operations in support of the exploitation of oil and gas’).
UK CAA CAP1145: 2nd Update on North Sea Helicopter Safety (CAP1386) Read Post »
Helideck Safety Alerts: Refuelling Hoses and Obstructions
Safety alerts released by the Helideck Certification Agency and US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement on fuel hoses and obstructions.
Helideck Safety Alerts: Refuelling Hoses and Obstructions Read Post »
Final Report: AS365N3 9M-IGB Fatal Accident
A fatal in-flight break-up following damage during a prior landing shows the importance of not ‘pressing on’ after a more minor occurrence and resisting passenger pressures.
Final Report: AS365N3 9M-IGB Fatal Accident Read Post »
First AW169 for Offshore Wind Turbine Support
The first 4.6t Leonardo AW169 for windfarm HHO support has been delivered to Heli Service International to support the Siemens Gemini wind energy project.
First AW169 for Offshore Wind Turbine Support Read Post »
HeliOffshore HUMS Best Practice Guide Wins Safety Award
Against stiff competition the HeliOffshore team who produced HUMS Best Practice Guide have won the Award for Sharing and Learning at the Offshore Safety Awards 2016.
HeliOffshore HUMS Best Practice Guide Wins Safety Award Read Post »
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2015 Update
We look at HSAC data on GOM ops in 2015. A decline in helicopter usage is evident. 3 accidents but none fatal (only 3rd fatality-free year in 32).
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2015 Update Read Post »
Dutch Safety Board Investigation: “Medical Assistance on the North Sea”
Dutch Safety Board Investigation: “Medical Assistance on the North Sea” The Dutch Safety Board (DSB) has issued their investigation following the death of a sports diver in the North Sea on 11 July 2015. The Incident Two sports divers were diving on a wreck 18km offshore. One fell ill and was recovered from the water unconscious.
Dutch Safety Board Investigation: “Medical Assistance on the North Sea” Read Post »
Bell 525 Prototype N525TA Fatal Flight Test Accident
The first B525 Relentless helicopter prototype was lost in a fatal flight test accident on 6 July 2016.
Bell 525 Prototype N525TA Fatal Flight Test Accident Read Post »
CHC EC225 LN-OJF Norway Accident Investigation Timeline
We examine the investigation into the loss of CHC EC225 in Norway on 29 April 2016.
CHC EC225 LN-OJF Norway Accident Investigation Timeline Read Post »
EASA Annual Safety Review 2016 Published
EASA Annual Safety Review 2016 Published The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Annual Safety Review for 2016 is now available. In the introduction EASA say: The Review has been published since 2005 and the content of the document continues to evolve. Safety Risk Portfolios are now provided for 10 different operational domains. For the first time
EASA Annual Safety Review 2016 Published Read Post »
ANSV Issue AW609 Tilt Rotor Accident Investigation Report
ANSV Issue AW609 Tilt Rotor Accident Investigation Report Investigators say a prototype tilt rotor broke up in flight after a divergent dutch roll developed in a high speed dive. The Italian civil aviation safety investigation authority, the Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo (ANSV), has issued an interim statement of the loss of prototype #2 (AC2) Leonardo AW609 tilt rotor N609AG
ANSV Issue AW609 Tilt Rotor Accident Investigation Report Read Post »
HEMS Black Hole Accident: “Organisational, Regulatory and Oversight Deficiencies”
The operator had insufficient resources to effectively manage safety say TSB. The regulator had concerns but its approach did not ensure timely rectification.
HEMS Black Hole Accident: “Organisational, Regulatory and Oversight Deficiencies” Read Post »
For Rotors Grease is the Word
For Rotors Grease is the Word We look at two helicopter accidents (one fatal) where grease, and in particular the absence of grease, were critical factors. Case 1: AS355F1 N58020 15 September 2012, New Jersey (One Fatality) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report that, Airbus Helicopters AS355F1, N58020 operated by charter operator Analar Corporation was making a positioning flight
For Rotors Grease is the Word Read Post »
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident (Western Australia Police Air Wing Airbus AS365N3 VH-WPX) The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has just issued a report on an incident where a helicopter’s rotor blades were damaged during start up by Foreign Object Debris (FOD), namely a tool that had been left behind from earlier maintenance. The Incident Flight
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident Read Post »
UKMFTS Rotary Wing Aircraft Service Provision Contract Awarded
UK Military Flying Training System Rotary Wing Aircraft Service Provision Contract Awarded In the second major UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract award this year, Airbus Helicopters has won the contract to provide training helicopters for the RAF, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps until 2033. Airbus will supply and maintain 29 H135s (to be given the UK military name Juno) and three
UKMFTS Rotary Wing Aircraft Service Provision Contract Awarded Read Post »
Offshore Helicopter Safety Performance: 2016 HeliOffshore Conference Report
We report from the second HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on commitment and collaboration to improve offshore helicopter safety.
Offshore Helicopter Safety Performance: 2016 HeliOffshore Conference Report Read Post »
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study Earlier this year the German accident investigation agency, the BFU, published their report into Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Bell 412HP that suffered a rear cross tube failure during start up at a hospital in Berlin on 6 September 2010. The helicopter was fitted with ‘high’ skids manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Inc
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study Read Post »