FRATricide?: Night S-76D CFIT
Did a Flight Risk Assessment Tool downplay the risk of a flight, delayed to night, to a remote landing site?
Maintenance Error Re-Fitting a Louver Panel Causes Loss of Air Ambulance Tail Rotor
A skilful landing after a minor panel detached causing major damage. Investigators point to maintenance <16 flying hours earlier.
Maintenance Error Re-Fitting a Louver Panel Causes Loss of Air Ambulance Tail Rotor Read Post »
Identical Error Paradox in Aviation Maintenance
A fascinating study on the human factors and risk management of simultaneous maintenance of dual critical systems throws up wider thoughts on maintenance performance.
Questions of Financial Stability: Twin Otter Runway Excursion and Collision with Parked Helicopter
The nose wheel was not centred before touchdown so this Twin Otter veered off the runway. But the insolvency of the operator likely played a role (fatigue & stress).
Professionalism and Integrity in Aviation
We look at the characteristics of professionalism, some of the challenges and the relative value of training and leadership.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades
An S-76C++ with 14 POB suffered a loss of control when the Commander took over from the Co-Pilot after a lightning strike in IMC.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades Read Post »
A Maintenance Error Preceded a Fiery Fatal AS350B3 Accident
A high base maintenance workload and disruptions resulted in a forced landing. A boundary fence post punctured the fuel tank and a post crash fire followed.
A Maintenance Error Preceded a Fiery Fatal AS350B3 Accident Read Post »
HESLO Long Line SNAFU
Coiling a longline while rotors running caught out this AS350’s pilot.
S-92A Night Approach Mode Awareness Incident
An S-92A received a TAWS warning during a night approach to a drilling rig after an undetected mode selection.
When a Crew Intentionally Left Their Aircraft Running Knowing it Would Damage Itself…
An unusual event, rapid innovation & collaboration and a good example why culpability decision aids can be a distraction.
When a Crew Intentionally Left Their Aircraft Running Knowing it Would Damage Itself… Read Post »
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT
A VFR flight continued in deteriorating weather, over reliant on EFB data and attempting ‘improvised’ instrument approaches in IMC.
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT Read Post »
Attention on Engine Shop Assembly of a S-92A CT7-8 after North Sea IFSD
A CT7-8 IFSD: 12 T-bolts fractured, disconnecting the compressor from the GGT. Investigators examined the engine’s last shop visit in Spain.
Attention on Engine Shop Assembly of a S-92A CT7-8 after North Sea IFSD Read Post »
Bo105 Loss of Control in DVE & Water Impact
LOC-I in worsening weather & water impact of a Coast Guard helicopter supporting marine nav aids. Survivability issues mean both occupants perished.
A Screw in the Wrong Place…A Loss of Hoist Cable
An error of just a few millimetres resulted in a Breeze-Eastern hoist cable being dropped by an AW139…
A Screw in the Wrong Place…A Loss of Hoist Cable Read Post »
Cold Comfort Conference Call: USAF F-35A Alaska Accident
A $196.5 mn organisational accident: a conference call and a contaminated barrel.
Cold Comfort Conference Call: USAF F-35A Alaska Accident Read Post »
Flat Light B206L4 Alaskan CFIT & 11 Hour Emergency Response Delay
A shocking flight following failure after a flat light North Slope CFIT/Water Impact.
Flat Light B206L4 Alaskan CFIT & 11 Hour Emergency Response Delay Read Post »
Air Methods Helicopter Air Ambulance Night Take Off Tree Strike
After training at a Fire Department a BK117 air ambulance crashes after contacting a tree behind it during take off from a confined site.
Air Methods Helicopter Air Ambulance Night Take Off Tree Strike Read Post »
OceanGate Titan: Toxic Culture & Fatal Hubris
Deep dive: Toxic culture of a submersible company and their CEO’s hubris. Implosion on a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. Five fatalities.
AW139 Loss of Control Climbing Away from SAR Exercise
Spatial disorientation, intermittent collective FTR use & impaired SA culminated in descending to <150 ft while trying to climb away.
AW139 Loss of Control Climbing Away from SAR Exercise Read Post »
Air India B787 GEnx-1B In Flight Shut Down After Maintenance Error 5 Years Earlier
A latent failure introduced during maintenance was dormant for 5 years.
Air India B787 GEnx-1B In Flight Shut Down After Maintenance Error 5 Years Earlier Read Post »
B214ST Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Coupling Misassembly
A maintenance error resulted in a loss of TR drive on a firefighting B214ST. We look at three airworthiness related incidents with the same airframe in UKCS offshore operations.
B214ST Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Coupling Misassembly Read Post »
EC155 / Light Aircraft Mid Air Collision: All Survive
Miraculous escape after EC155 / light aircraft collision. Only helicopter crew saw the other aircraft but <2 seconds before collision.
EC155 / Light Aircraft Mid Air Collision: All Survive Read Post »
CHC Sikorsky S-92A Seat Slide Surprise(s)
Failure to learn? In 2010 an Aircraft Commander was left ‘hanging’ after seat components omitted during maintenance. It reoccurred just 3.5 years later.
AW109SP Helicopter Air Ambulance Mountain Landing Accident Utah
We examine a night HEMS call out in Utah, changes of plan and a heavy landing at >10,000 ft.
AW109SP Helicopter Air Ambulance Mountain Landing Accident Utah Read Post »
T-Bolt Trouble: Unrecorded Maintenance on US HEMS BK117C2/H145 and Loss of TR Pitch Control
Components disconnected without paperwork being raised, temporarily refitted finger tight and the absence of lockwire being missed….and not for the first time.