NTSB Preliminary Report issued 4 April 2025. Last radio call was “we’ve got a major problem…controls are giving us a lot of trouble, coming in fast.”
EC135P2+ Air Ambulance Fatal Accident Mississippi 10 March 2025 Read Post »
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 »
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 »
After an engine failure due to a latent production defect, the firefighting bucket snags in trees and the helicopter crashed into woodland. TSB look at why the bucket may not have been jettisoned.
Firefighting Bucket Snags Trees During Autorotation Read Post »
A change in ground handling process inadvertently eliminated a key defence, passenger pre-briefing.
Passenger Struck by Tail Rotor While Unloading at a Hunting Camp 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 »
A skilful landing after a loss of tail rotor drive triggered by the loss overboard of a loose article. The occupants were lucky…we look at a series of case studies – some were fatal.
Windward’s Wayward Rain Pants Down an H500: Loose Article Hazards 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 »
NSIB Preliminary Report issued: helicopter diverting after encountering poor visibility.
Loss of Sikorsky S-76C+ 5N-BQG of Eastwind Off Nigeria 24 October 2024 Read Post »
Brown Field ATC cleared two H-60s to land on a runway underrun despite them being over the paving weight limit, then asked one to go around and it collided with the other. Everyone survived.
An Air Traffic Control Assisted H-60 Collision Read Post »
A loss of drillship DP and poor bridge display ergonomics. Two more CHC serious helideck ‘sudden departure’ incidents follow within 38 months.
CHC Scotia AS332L Rollover on West Navion Helideck After Loss of Dynamic Positioning Read Post »
LOC-I after Force Trim Release pressed while encountering a downdraft. TRDS had been severed by Main Rotor. All 7 POB survive.
Fukushima Police AW139 Loss of Control Accident: JTSB Final Report Read Post »
We look at the 2024 CENIPA report into a 2021 night deck training accident off Brazil.
Night Deck Landing Accident While Training off Brazil 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 »
A latent defect is found to have occurred on other aircraft. Could throttle detent inspections be improved?
B407 Worn Throttle Detent Power Loss Accident 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 »
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 »
Two birds struck a helicopter air ambulance with one damaging a pitch link and the swashplate drive arm, causing strong vibration. A safe landing was made.
Air Ambulance Bell 407 Pitch Links & Swashplate Drive Arm Bent in Double Bird Strike Read Post »
CHC Australia BK117 LOC-I after disorientation in deteriorating weather after an EGPWS terrain warning during a night HEMS positioning flight.
Night HEMS BK117 Loss of Control Read Post »
An impact with two red-tail hawks smashed the windscreen & the visor of the pilot’s helmet and ripped the helmet off. A safe landing was made
Air Ambulance Pilot’s Visor Smashed in Double Bird Strike 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 »
While leaning out of the right door during Human External Cargo training a pilot makes an unintended control input.
Pilot Induced B407 HEC Power Loss Read Post »
