HESLO Long Line SNAFU
Coiling a longline while rotors running caught out this AS350’s pilot.
HESLO Long Line SNAFU Read Post »
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT
A VFR flight continued in deteriorating weather, over reliant on EFB data and attempting ‘improvised’ instrument approaches in IMC.
Improvised Ice Road IMC Approaches – Twin Otter CFIT Read Post »
“Sensation Seeking” Survey Fatal Accident
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 »
Pilot Induced B407 HEC Power Loss
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 »
Fatal Fall after HESLO Helicopter Hooks Worker
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 »
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 »
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 »
Twisted Firestarters
Two Australian occurrences were helicopters have triggered bushfires.
Twisted Firestarters Read Post »
B212 LOC-I: Windshear Encounter in the Lee of Mountain Ridge
The first loss of control caused the TRDS to be severed by a MR blade strike. Only when slowing for an emergency landing did the crew discover they had lost TR drive.
B212 LOC-I: Windshear Encounter in the Lee of Mountain Ridge Read Post »
Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike
The SA CAA preliminary report confirms this J41 suffered a bird strike with what is “the world’s heaviest flying bird” species (up to 19 kg). Debris went through the cabin. Fortuitously the pax in that row had moved.
Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike Read Post »
Grey Charter in French Guiana: IIMC and LOC-I
The BEA identify illicit charter occurred when an AB206 and a low time pilot was contracted to fly maintenance personnel to a gold mine site.
Grey Charter in French Guiana: IIMC and LOC-I 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 »
Heli-Expo 2020 Photo Report
Photos from HAI Heli-Expo 2020 in Anaheim, CA.
Heli-Expo 2020 Photo Report Read Post »
Helicopter Wirestrike During Powerline Inspection
This wirestrike occurred on a crossing powerline and followed two near misses in the previous 6 months. Lessons on client aviation management, powerline marking, mapping data and software and reporting.
Helicopter Wirestrike During Powerline Inspection Read Post »
Loose Engine B-Nut Triggers Fatal Forced Landing
Loose Engine B-Nut Triggers Fatal Forced Landing On 26 September 2017 Hughes (later MD) 369D SE-JVI was being used for power line inspection on behalf of energy company Vattenfall, by the First European Aviation Company when it suffered a sudden power loss and impact with the ground that killed one occupant History of the Accident Flight The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, the
Loose Engine B-Nut Triggers Fatal Forced Landing 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 »
Fatal Engine Power Loss: Powerline Helicopter Not Modified IAW OEM Recommendations
We look at a fatal accident that demonstrates the criticality of assessing recommended service bulletins.
Fatal Engine Power Loss: Powerline Helicopter Not Modified IAW OEM Recommendations Read Post »
Heli-Expo 2018 Photo Report
News and photos from HAI Heli-Expo 2018 in Las Vegas, NV.
Heli-Expo 2018 Photo Report Read Post »
RJ85 Landed Alongside Runway Obscured by Dust
We look at the human factors that influenced a landing parallel to an unsealed runway on a FIFO charter to an Australian gold mine on 20 Jan 2017.
RJ85 Landed Alongside Runway Obscured by Dust Read Post »
Tool Bag Takes Out Tail Rotor: Fatal AS350B2 Accident, Tweed, ON
TSB say four died when a tool bag came loose and struck the TR of a helicopter carrying workers of an electricity utility company who were unrestrained in the cabin.
Tool Bag Takes Out Tail Rotor: Fatal AS350B2 Accident, Tweed, ON 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 »
Leadership and Trust
Good leaders inspire trust but there is a Dutch proverb: “Trust comes on foot, but leaves on horseback.” We discuss why trust is important in developing an organisation’s culture to overcome blame and fear and how behaviour is key.
Leadership and Trust Read Post »
Heli-Expo 2017 Photo Report
News and photos from HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, TX (6-9 March 2017).
Heli-Expo 2017 Photo Report 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 »
The Tender Trap: SAR and Medevac Contract Design
AirMed and Rescue published an article in their Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 issue by Aerossurance’s Andy Evans on how to tender and contract for contracted Search and Rescue (SAR) and medevac services.
The Tender Trap: SAR and Medevac Contract Design Read Post »