HESLO Long Line SNAFU
Coiling a longline while rotors running caught out this AS350’s pilot.
HESLO Long Line SNAFU 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.
Bo105 Loss of Control in DVE & Water Impact Read Post »
AS350 HESLO Fuel Incident (Superabsorbent Polymer Contamination)
Forced landing – fuel contaminated with SAP (superabsorbent polymer). Unsuitable filters & water separators. Inadequate fuel QC & training.
AS350 HESLO Fuel Incident (Superabsorbent Polymer Contamination) Read Post »
Windward’s Wayward Rain Pants Down an H500: Loose Article Hazards
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 »
HESLO R44 Snagged by its Own Longline
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 »
Lighthouse HESLO Accident
A dramatic loss of control after a load snags doing HESLO from a lighthouse.
Lighthouse HESLO Accident Read Post »
HESLO AS350 Fatal Accident Positioning with an Unloaded Long Line
The longline wrapped around the tail rotor during a 3 minute flight to refuel.
HESLO AS350 Fatal Accident Positioning with an Unloaded Long Line Read Post »
Impatience Comes Before a Fatal Fall During HESLO
A refueller, who was a former HESLO loadmaster, becomes impatient with progress, steps in and is lifted to his death.
Impatience Comes Before a Fatal Fall During HESLO Read Post »
Dry Ice Packing Error Incapacitated Pilot on Taxiway
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 »
Snagged Sling Line Pulled into Main Rotor During HESLO Shutdown
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 »
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 »
Unballasted Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel
A change in plan resulted in a helicopter returning with an unballasted sling and at a higher than advised speed this entangled with the tail rotor.
Unballasted Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel Read Post »
Windscreen Rain Refraction: Mountain Mine Site HESLO CFIT
Did you know that rain on a windscreen, in addition to causing poor visibility, introduces a refraction error that can make objects appear lower, by up to 5 degrees?
Windscreen Rain Refraction: Mountain Mine Site HESLO CFIT Read Post »
Loss of Control During HESLO Construction Task: BEA Highlight Wellbeing / Personal Readiness
BEA were unable to establish the reason for Loss of Control in the hover. The pilot was suffering from an unreported back condition and the HESLO technique required an awkward body position. BEA make recommendations about wellbeing and personal readiness.
Shocking Accident: Two Workers Electrocuted During HESLO
There was an inadequate pre-task briefing, and an undersized team. Operations continued as drizzle started in order to use all the mixed concrete. A device that would have increased separation from the live line was on-site but not used.
Shocking Accident: Two Workers Electrocuted During HESLO Read Post »
Inadvertent Entry into IMC During Mountaintop HESLO
Possible self-induced commercial pressure and task fixation may have been factors in a HESLO accident involving a loss of visual reference at a mountain top site on lift 29 of 30, resulting in spatial disorientation and a partial loss of control say AIB Denmark.
Inadvertent Entry into IMC During Mountaintop HESLO Read Post »
HESLO AS350B2 Dropped Load – Phase Out of Spring-Loaded Keepers for Keeperless Hooks
A HESLO operator moves to keeperless hooks after a 700 kg load was lost during powerline refurbishment in Scotland.
HESLO AS350B2 Dropped Load – Phase Out of Spring-Loaded Keepers for Keeperless Hooks Read Post »
Inadequately Secured Pallets Penetrate the Rear Pressure Bulkhead of a Cargo B737
The lack of the required competent loading expertise on site and dispatch’s late, and not fully considered, request to change the loading plan resulted in significant damage to this B737 in Hawaii.
Inadequately Secured Pallets Penetrate the Rear Pressure Bulkhead of a Cargo B737 Read Post »
Everett Introducing S-92A to East Africa
East African operator Everett expands with a utility S-92A.
Everett Introducing S-92A to East Africa Read Post »
USAF Engine Shop in “Disarray” with a “Method of the Madness”: F-16CM Engine Fire
An AIB report paints a sorry picture of a poor performing engine maintenance facility. But these short comings were known about over 5 years before this F-16CM accident…
USAF Engine Shop in “Disarray” with a “Method of the Madness”: F-16CM Engine Fire Read Post »
Fallacy of ‘Training Out’ Error: Japanese AS332L1 Dropped Load
While the response to this incident did include a design change the operator couldn’t it seems resist ‘re-eduction’.
Fallacy of ‘Training Out’ Error: Japanese AS332L1 Dropped Load Read Post »
Overworked Yuletide Loading Error
A loading incident during a busy-pre Christmas period highlights the effect of high workload on data input errors, as well as the importance of system feedback of incorrectly entered data.
Overworked Yuletide Loading Error Read Post »
Unexpected Load: B407 USL / External Cargo Accident in PNG
Miscommunication and poor ground crew briefing resulted in a long-line and load snagging on a B407 at take off causing a crash.
Unexpected Load: B407 USL / External Cargo Accident in PNG Read Post »
All Aboard CFIT: Alaskan Sightseeing Fatal Flight and Safety Culture
A case study of a pathological safety culture. Management and peer pressure, compounded by poor contracting and scheduling by a cruise line resulted in high risk flights in poor weather.
All Aboard CFIT: Alaskan Sightseeing Fatal Flight and Safety Culture Read Post »
Unexpected Load: AS350B3 USL / External Cargo Accident in Norway
A difference in understanding between pilot and loadmaster meant the surprise attachment of an external load, a sudden ‘jerk’ during take off and an emergency landing that damaged the helicopter.
Unexpected Load: AS350B3 USL / External Cargo Accident in Norway Read Post »