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 »
A fan blade off event leads to an engine automatic shutdown. The crew shut down the serviceable engine and choose to divert 200 NM further than necessary leading to a forced landing.
Startled Shutdown: Fatal USAF E-11A Global Express PSM+ICR Accident 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 »
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 »
NTSB were unable to identify the cause of the initiating electrical failure but did identify two battery issues, one connected to a maintenance error & inadequate functional test requirement.
DA62 Forced Landing After Double Engine Shutdown Due to Multiple Electrical Issues Read Post »
A lack of a common understanding on minimum drop height was a factor in this 737 striking rising ground after a fire bombing run in Australia
Crew Confusion in Firefighting 737 Terrain Impact 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
After completing a low level geophysical survey, a PA-31 was flown even lower back to base, hitting a powerline just 70 ft AGL.
“Sensation Seeking” Survey Fatal Accident 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 »
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 »
An inappropriate hook snags on a railing during solo R44 HESLO at an oil & gas site in Canada.
HESLO R44 Snagged by its Own Longline Read Post »
Helicopter landing site suitability, flight planning and Threat & Error Management are all topics discussed in this AAIB report where an AW109 contacted trees during a night take off.
Drift into Danger: AW109SP Night HLS Accident Read Post »
This fatal Canadian mining accident is a reminder there is risk of entanglement during any HESLO underslung load task.
Fatal Fall after HESLO Helicopter Hooks Worker Read Post »
A night visual approach resulted in illusions that resulted in a water impact. Everyone on board was rescued but not before highlighting many survivability & SAR enhancements, as well as triggering improved helideck lighting and TAWS improvements.
Night Offshore Helicopter Approach Water Impact Read Post »
A 40s loss of control occurred during the transition from visual to instrument flight during a disorientating night offshore TO without an external horizon.
Night Offshore Take-Off Loss of Control Incident Norway Read Post »
A Fire Dept set up a landing site at night under the edge of powerlines. The HEMS pilot looked for the wires using NVGs but could only see the towers.
Air Ambulance Night Wirestrike at Poorly Chosen Landing Site Read Post »
After landing in a confined space this HEMS helicopter started to slide backwards on an icy slope. We look at landing site recces.
HEMS Air Ambulance Landing Site Slide Read Post »
Wear is found during a check that results in a rare flying control maintenance task, poorly described in the AMM. Its unrecorded and delegated to an apprentice with insufficient supervision. We examine the maintenance human factors involved.
An inflight upset, consistent with a SAS/AP CUT, resulted in a rotor overspeed, and reduction of power from both engines
Air Ambulance EC135 Loss of Control & Main Rotor / Engine Overspeeds Read Post »
LOC-I. TFO died after being trapped after a water impact. NTSB Probable Cause: The helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit.
Police Helicopter Unanticipated Yaw & Fatal Water Impact Read Post »
