We discuss the key points from this year’s HeliOffshore conference in Portugal. HeliOffshore is the global collaborative safety association for the offshore helicopter industry.
HeliOffshore 2022 Conference Review Read Post »
The pilot recounts a FOD event in-flight while flying the media over the violent ‘Emerald Triangle’ of illegal marijuana plantations in Northern California.
Loose Clothing Downs Marijuana Survey Helicopter Read Post »
NTSB are investigating a US air ambulance tail rotor strike on approach to an elevated hospital helipad.
US Air Ambulance Helicopter Hospital Heliport Tail Strike Read Post »
Ergonomics during a flight test was likely cause of a mast bumping event say NTSB. The dual controls remained fitted and a flight test engineer was holding a 3.5 kg laptop over the cyclic with one hand while making notes with the other.
NTSB: Ergonomics Explain Main Rotor Loss During Flight Test Read Post »
After a 7.5+ year wait Brazilian investigators identify that inaccurate helideck heave data was passed to this helicopter crew. But this occurrence also serves to highlight glacial progress globally adopting best practice.
Helideck Heave Ho! Read Post »
An RCAF SAR crew were surprised when the Pilot Flying’s seat unexpectedly descended to its lowest position while hovering.
SAR Seat Slip Smash Read Post »
We look at the investigation into how a police helicopter came to be rotors running on an open public road and be struck by a truck carrying biological waste.
Investigation into Collision of Truck with Police Helicopter Read Post »
The HEMS pilot, who had been cleared to fly after a previous head injury, suffered a seizure say investigators. The helicopter yawed into a snow bank, ejecting a casualty who was being loaded.
HEMS Pilot Seizure While Rotor-Running Read Post »
During high workload night single pilot helicopter hoist flight an error in automation selection was not detected until a passenger warned the aircraft had descended to just 59 ft.
Offshore Night Near Miss: Marine Pilot Transfer Unintended Descent Read Post »
During a VFR ferry flight the crew of this helicopter flew towards forecast IMC, descending to 100 ft AGL before crashing in woodland.
Black Hawk Scud Running in Tennessee: IIMC & CFIT Read Post »
Stopping short of its parking stand due to another aircraft being refuelled, this helicopter struck a maintenance stand.
Taxiing AW139 Blade Strike on Maintenance Stand Read Post »
An EC130T2 had its dual controls removed but the collective balance was misrigged. This resulted in it becoming inadvertently airborne while rotors running on an elevated helipad in Memphis. CCTV caught the incident on video.
Air Ambulance Leaps into Air: Misrigged Flying Controls Read Post »
A loop of cable snagged on the MLG and the cable was severed. The aircraft was later released to fly with MLG damage.
SAR Hoist Cable Snag and Facture, Followed By Release of an Unserviceable Aircraft Read Post »
A millionaire’s pilot presses on in marginal conditions to reposition and avoid parking fees at a downtown heliport.
Erratic Flight in Marginal Visibility over New York Ends in Tragedy Read Post »
Five months earlier a difficult to detect latent defect was introduced.
Why a Collective Control Came Loose in a Pilot’s Hand… Read Post »
There was a lack of coordination between helicopter and drone operations filming an off-road race. See the video running up to a Mid Air Collision.
Helicopter / Drone Mid Air Collision Filming Off-Road Race Read Post »
A passer-by is injured by downwash from an AW139 on final approach to an elevated helipad over a major urban road.
Pedestrian Seriously Injured by Air Ambulance Landing at Melbourne Hospital Read Post »
It is reported that after going IIMC in fog during a night approach using NVIS the pilot attempted to hand fly the go-around without de-coupling the autopilot.
Air Ambulance Helicopter Struck Ground During Go-Around after NVIS Inadvertent IMC Entry Read Post »
A misassembly, a missed maintenance inspection, a resulting TRPCS bearing failure and an inappropriate response when yaw control was lost coming into the hover resulted in a non-survivable impact.
Fiery Fatal AW119 Accident in Russia After Loss of Tail Rotor Control Read Post »
A good example of never letting your guard down after higher risk activities have ended and treating even small unexpected events as a threat.
Snagged Sling Line Pulled into Main Rotor During HESLO Shutdown Read Post »
Lots of questions from the photos that have emerged of a tail rotor strike at an elevated hospital helipad in the US.
Air Methods AS350B3 Air Ambulance Tucson Tail Strike Read Post »
NTSB claim Inadequate pedal application occurred during liftoff with a tailwind, resulted in a loss of yaw control and a tail rotor strike (caught on video).
R44 “Unanticipated Yaw” Accident During Tailwind Take Off Caught on Video Say NTSB Read Post »
LOC-I on a low, slow downwind leg lead to a water impact. The front crew both became fatally trapped. Shortcomings in equipment and training were identified.
Dutch Maritime NH90 Caribbean Accident: Focus on the Survivability Issues Read Post »
The hazard of flat light is its insidious nature. Even when visibility is good and the horizon is visible, a loss of depth perception may go undetected by the pilot.
Canadian Flat Light CFIT Read Post »
The BEA identify illicit charter occurred when an AB206 and a low time pilot was contracted to fly maintenance personnel to a gold mine site.
Grey Charter in French Guiana: IIMC and LOC-I Read Post »
