HEMS Air Ambulance Landing Site Slide
After landing in a confined space this HEMS helicopter started to slide backwards on an icy slope. We look at landing site recces.
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Undetected Cross Connection Maintenance Error Resulted in a DA42 Hard Landing During a Maintenance Check Flight
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.
Air Ambulance EC135 Loss of Control & Main Rotor / Engine Overspeeds
An inflight upset, consistent with a SAS/AP CUT, resulted in a rotor overspeed, and reduction of power from both engines
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Police Helicopter Unanticipated Yaw & Fatal Water Impact
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 »
Multi-Tasking Managers & Deficient Operational Control: Low Viz AS350B3 Take-Off Accident
Two people died after a loss of visual references shortly after take-off in the transition from vertical to horizontal flight. NSIA point to organisational and systemic factors.
In-Flight Break-up of King Air C90 After Wing Spar Repaired Against Manufacturer’s Advice
The wing spar failed from fatigue cracking elsewhere in the wing that was missed during the same inspection.
South Korean Night Black Hole Spatial Disorientation Fatal Helicopter Accident
We translate a South Korean report into an emergency service helicopter accident investigation. Spatial disorientation, use of automation and heliport management issues.
South Korean Night Black Hole Spatial Disorientation Fatal Helicopter Accident Read Post »
Helicopter Water Impact Accident: Safety of Airborne Geophysical Survey Operations
An aerial survey accident highlights problems implementing flight following technology, the dangerous use of marine lifejackets and the value of considering competence.
Helicopter Water Impact Accident: Safety of Airborne Geophysical Survey Operations Read Post »
Maintenance Distraction in Bell 407 Accident
After this accident the operator introduced an RII / Independent Inspection program.
Maintenance Distraction in Bell 407 Accident Read Post »
Lighthouse HESLO Accident
A dramatic loss of control after a load snags doing HESLO from a lighthouse.
Lighthouse HESLO Accident Read Post »
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident
An £81 mn fighter is downed by FOD, one of its own intake blanks.
This case study illustrates James Reason’s concept of Organisational Accidents and how just asking “who left the intake blank ?” misses the real reasons behind this accident.
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident Read Post »
Engine Maintenance Introduced FOD that Caused an EC120 Power Loss
FOD, likely introduced during fuel system maintenance, caused a power loss and necessitated a backyard forced landing.
Engine Maintenance Introduced FOD that Caused an EC120 Power Loss Read Post »
A Concrete Case of Commercial Pressure: Fatal Swiss HESLO Accident
Helicopter external sling load ops continued as weather deteriorated with fatal consequences.
A Concrete Case of Commercial Pressure: Fatal Swiss HESLO Accident Read Post »
Missing Cotter Pin Causes Fatal S-61N Accident
A missing flying control cotter pin was identified by the NTSB investigation into a fatal S-61N accident in Hawaii. Interview evidence raises SMS effectiveness concerns.
Missing Cotter Pin Causes Fatal S-61N Accident Read Post »
B407 Damaged During Autorotation Training
On 23 May 2023 PHI Bell 407 N451PH was damaged during new hire autorotation training at Abbeville, Louisiana. NTSB discuss ‘main rotor blowback’.
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SAR AW139 LOC-I During Positioning Flight
After encountering turbulence a Loss of Control occurred when Force Trim Release (FTR) was activated.
SAR AW139 LOC-I During Positioning Flight Read Post »
BK117 Offshore Medevac CFIT & Survivability Issues
An offshore medevac accident that highlights considering the changing risk of an individual flight, flight path management in degrading conditions and offshore survivability in a ‘regulatory void’.
BK117 Offshore Medevac CFIT & Survivability Issues Read Post »
EC135 Air Ambulance CFIT when Pilot Distracted Correcting Tech Log Errors
The single pilot was head down as the sun set correcting tech log entries. The helicopter struck trees on a mountain top then force landed in woodland.
EC135 Air Ambulance CFIT when Pilot Distracted Correcting Tech Log Errors Read Post »
Oil & Gas Aerial Survey Aircraft Collided with Communications Tower
TSB suggest glare from the sun prevented visual detection of a communications tower by a C172 survey crew.
Oil & Gas Aerial Survey Aircraft Collided with Communications Tower Read Post »
Poor Contracting Practices and a Canadian Helicopter HESLO Accident
An underslung load strikes a tail boom and when jettisoned damages a tail rotor. But this case study really highlights how poor contracting practices drive up risk and how to avoid that.
Poor Contracting Practices and a Canadian Helicopter HESLO Accident Read Post »
Double Trouble: Offshore Surveillance P68 Forced to Glide
An offshore border surveillance P68C suffered two engine power loss failure modes in quick succession. One may have been sabotage.
Double Trouble: Offshore Surveillance P68 Forced to Glide Read Post »
Twisted Firestarters
Two Australian occurrences were helicopters have triggered bushfires.
Twisted Firestarters Read Post »
Managing Interruptions: HEMS Call-Out During Engine Rinse
Interrupted during an engine rinse by an emergency call-out a panel was not properly closed and was lost in flight.
Managing Interruptions: HEMS Call-Out During Engine Rinse Read Post »
Customs Training Loss of Control While Climbing Away from a Quick Stop
Cockpit confusion: Curious case of a pilot deemed not to be qualified only after this accident.
Customs Training Loss of Control While Climbing Away from a Quick Stop Read Post »
Urgent Exit Required: A Helideck Incident
An offshore helicopter almost hit a vessel’s superstructure during an immediate departure when on the verge of a dynamic rollover. We look at the value of HMS repeater lights.
Urgent Exit Required: A Helideck Incident Read Post »