South Korean Fire-Fighting Helicopter Tail Rotor Strike on Fuel Bowser
A fire-fighting helicopter drifts backwards into a fuel bowser.
South Korean Fire-Fighting Helicopter Tail Rotor Strike on Fuel Bowser Read Post »
Emergency S-76D Landing Due to Fumes
After an emergency landing investigators found that an S-76D engine duct was partially detached. We also look at a more dramatic A109A accident that involved a different exhaust duct failure mode.
Emergency S-76D Landing Due to Fumes Read Post »
Gazelle Caught Out Jumping a Fence
The layout of the movement area of the aerodrome led helicopter pilots to ‘jumping over the fence’ from landside hangars. As this helicopter transitioned an engine surge led to it crashing into the perimeter fence.
Gazelle Caught Out Jumping a Fence Read Post »
French Cougar Crashed After Entering VRS When Coming into Hover
After a series of hoisting exercises the crew were doing a final exercise to simulate an rare electrical emergency. Unbeknown to them they had a tailwind as they came into the hover.
French Cougar Crashed After Entering VRS When Coming into Hover Read Post »
Fuel Starvation During Powerline HESLO
A change in task and a common misinterpretation leads to operation below established fuel minima. A norm of leaving a HEC belly-band in place on non-HEC tasks complicated sling release, and the line went taut before the autorotation was complete.
Fuel Starvation During Powerline HESLO Read Post »
A HEMS Helicopter Had a Lucky Escape During a NVIS Approach to its Home Base
While flying a shallow approach using NVIS a HEMS helicopter entered low-lying fog. After being startled and blinded by the NVGs, the pilot initiated a go-around but the helicopter briefly contacted the ground.
A HEMS Helicopter Had a Lucky Escape During a NVIS Approach to its Home Base Read Post »
Schweizer 269C Destroyed after Missed AD
An AD overrun, an omission of a pre-flight free play check for 18 years and a lack of autorotation practice all feature in this accident.
Schweizer 269C Destroyed after Missed AD Read Post »
Dynamic Rollover During HESLO at Gusty Mountain Site
A 1.1 t load was moved to pylon 151, just the wrong pylon 151. A gust caught the helicopter at the worst moment, just as the longline became taut.
Dynamic Rollover During HESLO at Gusty Mountain Site Read Post »
Ditching after Blade Strike During HESLO from a Ship
Reflective observations from a pilot after an accident while conducting external load operations from a research vessel off the coast of Alaska.
Ditching after Blade Strike During HESLO from a Ship Read Post »
Air Methods AS350B3 Night CFIT in Snow
Repositioning to avoid a storm, this air ambulance crashed just short of its destination on a 3-minute flight.
Air Methods AS350B3 Night CFIT in Snow Read Post »
Training Weaknesses Feature in Fatal MD600N Accident
Limited availability of data discouraged practical training in a specific emergency procedure, say TAIC.
Training Weaknesses Feature in Fatal MD600N Accident Read Post »
Alpine MAC ANSV Report: Ascending AS350B3 and Descending Jodel D.140E Collided Over Glacier
A Mid Air Collision, caught dramatically on video, that highlights the difficulty of visually detecting other aircraft in Class G airspace.
NTSB Report on Miami Air International Jacksonville B737-800 Runway Excursion
In a thunderstorm, this 737 hydroplaned after an unstable approach. NTSB comment on PF’s plan continuation bias and the PM’s lack of experience. The FAA has issued further guidance on calculating landing lengths and imposed a fine on an MRO who had conducted defective work on rafts and slides.
NTSB Report on Miami Air International Jacksonville B737-800 Runway Excursion Read Post »
Low Recce of HEMS Landing Site Skipped – Rotor Blade Strikes Cable Cutter at Small, Sloped Site
Investigators say the pilot was requested to land closer to the casualty and having skipped a low recce the crew’s attention was on obstacles not the slope and still landed after a Mast Moment warning.
Sécurité Civile EC145 Mountain Rescue Main Rotor Blade Strike Leads to Tail Strike
Deteriorating weather caused a hurried change of plan to use a technique for which there were no documented procedures.
Sécurité Civile EC145 Mountain Rescue Main Rotor Blade Strike Leads to Tail Strike Read Post »
Firefighting CH-54 Flying Control FOD Find
The value of doing a ‘full and free’ flying control check was demonstrated in this incident.
Firefighting CH-54 Flying Control FOD Find Read Post »
Pilatus PC-12 Collided with Pick-Up Truck During Dusk Take Off
The pilot told the NTSB in a telephone interview that he “just didn’t see the truck”.
Pilatus PC-12 Collided with Pick-Up Truck During Dusk Take Off Read Post »
Engine Life Limit Exceedance Caused Logging Helicopter Fatal Accident
A fatal descent into trees after an engine failure at low altitude after exceeding engine component life limits. Engine cycles were documented “irregularly”.
Engine Life Limit Exceedance Caused Logging Helicopter Fatal Accident Read Post »
Air Tour Helicopter Force Landing After Improper Installation of Tail Rotor Bearings
An air tour operator’s improper installation of tail rotor bearings resulted in cascading in-flight failures, say NTSB. The tail rotor assembly was “was on the verge of imminent failure” when the helicopter landed.
Air Tour Helicopter Force Landing After Improper Installation of Tail Rotor Bearings Read Post »
SAR AW101 Roll-Over: Entry Into Service Involved “Persistently Elevated and Confusing Operational Risk”
Accident investigators say a SAR AW101 rolled over “during a period of persistently elevated and confusing operational risk” as the aircraft type was being introduced to military service in Norway.
Air Ambulance B407 Hospital Helipad Deck Edge Tail Strike During Shallow Approach
At first the pilot wasn’t aware that the helicopter’s tail rotor had stuck the helideck perimeter netting…
Air Ambulance B407 Hospital Helipad Deck Edge Tail Strike During Shallow Approach Read Post »
Firefighting AW139 Loss of Control and Tree Impact
During an approach to a hillside fire, airspeed drops dangerously low and the helicopter drifts backwards into trees…
Firefighting AW139 Loss of Control and Tree Impact Read Post »
Cessna 208B Collides with C172 after Distraction
The C208 pilot thought he had set the parking brake and focused his attention inside the cockpit.
Cessna 208B Collides with C172 after Distraction Read Post »
Military SAR H225M Caracal Double Hoist Fatality Accident
BEA-E identify a range of possible factors for the jamming of a hoist and severing of the hoist cable during a military training exercise.
Military SAR H225M Caracal Double Hoist Fatality Accident Read Post »
Loss of Control, Twice, by Offshore Helicopter off Nova Scotia
During the second go-around the crew started an impromptu visual approach when the ExxonMobil installation suddenly came into view. A high ROD at low airspeed developed in low-visibility. The helicopter avoided the sea by just 13 ft. A second loss of control occurred during the ascent.
Loss of Control, Twice, by Offshore Helicopter off Nova Scotia Read Post »