A flight nurse reaching for the floor mounted PTT switch resulted in a yaw that exceeded certification requirements. The damage was missed until the next day.
Inadvertent PTT Pedal Input Causes Tail Rotor Tailboom Contact Read Post »
When a pilot became disorientated during a night approach, an S-76A gets into a dangerously low energy state and strikes the sea. Despite two crew, the helicopter was “operated in a manner very little different from a single pilot operation”.
North Sea Helicopter Struck Sea After LOC-I on Approach During Night Shuttling Read Post »
Research indicates intense commercial pressures, intolerable stress and fatigue, ‘schizophrenic’ simulator sessions and weaponizing of FDM, SMS and ‘fair culture boards’ in a “big brother reality show.” We review a recent paper published in Safety Science.
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 »
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 »
Escorting passengers behind a recently arrived GX that had is anti-collision lights on proved unwise when the GX started to taxi. One passenger was blown over and knocked unconscious.
Business Jet Apron Jet Blast Injury 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 »
Packages of food were overfilled with dry ice leading to a dangerous build up of carbon dioxide in the cockpit of a cargo aircraft.
Dry Ice Packing Error Incapacitated Pilot on Taxiway 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 »
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 »
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 Challenger 300 was cleared to land at night by ATC shortly after a shift change. The previous shift failed to convey that painting was underway on the runway and the vehicle lights were not visible in the tower.
Fatal ATC Handover: A Business Jet Collides with an Airport Vehicle on Landing 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 »
