A S-76C++ Ditched During a PC2 Take Off After an Engine Failure
An offshore helicopter case study on PC2, powerplant reliability and emergency response.
A S-76C++ Ditched During a PC2 Take Off After an Engine Failure Read Post »
Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Water Impact
French Navy S-100 accident: A previously identified failure mode occured prior to the completion of a roll-out of a product improvement.
S-92A Night Approach Mode Awareness Incident
An S-92A received a TAWS warning during a night approach to a drilling rig after an undetected mode selection.
Attention on Engine Shop Assembly of a S-92A CT7-8 after North Sea IFSD
A CT7-8 IFSD: 12 T-bolts fractured, disconnecting the compressor from the GGT. Investigators examined the engine’s last shop visit in Spain.
Attention on Engine Shop Assembly of a S-92A CT7-8 after North Sea IFSD 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.
OceanGate Titan: Toxic Culture & Fatal Hubris
Deep dive: Toxic culture of a submersible company and their CEO’s hubris. Implosion on a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. Five fatalities.
AW139 Loss of Control Climbing Away from SAR Exercise
Spatial disorientation, intermittent collective FTR use & impaired SA culminated in descending to <150 ft while trying to climb away.
AW139 Loss of Control Climbing Away from SAR Exercise Read Post »
Brazilian Helideck Rollover After Precautionary Landing
Flying back from a bulk carrier the pilot suspected a seatbelt was stuck outside the door…
Brazilian Helideck Rollover After Precautionary Landing Read Post »
B214ST Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Coupling Misassembly
A maintenance error resulted in a loss of TR drive on a firefighting B214ST. We look at three airworthiness related incidents with the same airframe in UKCS offshore operations.
B214ST Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Coupling Misassembly Read Post »
CHC Sikorsky S-92A Seat Slide Surprise(s)
Failure to learn? In 2010 an Aircraft Commander was left ‘hanging’ after seat components omitted during maintenance. It reoccurred just 3.5 years later.
Engine & Emergency Flotation Failures – Greenland B206L4 Ditching
A tiny loose turbine bearing tang triggers an autorotation but frozen water in a hose caused the EFS to malfunction. SB/ICA changes for engine and EFS.
Engine & Emergency Flotation Failures – Greenland B206L4 Ditching Read Post »
UK CAA HOFO ACAS Rulemaking 2025 & a 2004 Tornado / AS332L Airprox
UK CAA are proposing making ACAS II mandatory for offshore helicopters: we look back to the 2004 incident that prompted a demonstration that ACAS II was practical for helicopters.
UK CAA HOFO ACAS Rulemaking 2025 & a 2004 Tornado / AS332L Airprox Read Post »
AS365 Crewman Dragged from Boat During SAR Training
A SAR crewman slipped on the deck of a vessel and due to miscommunication was pulled overboard by their helicopter and dragged through the sea.
AS365 Crewman Dragged from Boat During SAR Training Read Post »
S-76D Loss of Control on Approach to an Indian Drilling Rig
A low time on type crew lost control while distracted. Everyone escaped but 4 died in the water due to poor briefings and inadequate rescue capability.
S-76D Loss of Control on Approach to an Indian Drilling Rig Read Post »
Two Rescuers Fell When Hoist Cable Damaged After a Loss of Hover Reference
Loss of hover reference during a medevac from a ship leads to hoist cable contact, catastrophic damage and two serious injuries.
Two Rescuers Fell When Hoist Cable Damaged After a Loss of Hover Reference Read Post »
29 Seconds to Impact: A Fatal Night Offshore Approach in the Irish Sea
A loss of control on approach to a helideck at night that completes a trilogy of case studies where visual cueing at offshore platforms is believed to have been a significant factor.
29 Seconds to Impact: A Fatal Night Offshore Approach in the Irish Sea Read Post »
Loss of Sikorsky S-76C+ 5N-BQG of Eastwind Off Nigeria 24 October 2024
NSIB Preliminary Report issued: helicopter diverting after encountering poor visibility.
Loss of Sikorsky S-76C+ 5N-BQG of Eastwind Off Nigeria 24 October 2024 Read Post »
CHC Scotia AS332L Rollover on West Navion Helideck After Loss of Dynamic Positioning
A loss of drillship DP and poor bridge display ergonomics. Two more CHC serious helideck ‘sudden departure’ incidents follow within 38 months.
CHC Scotia AS332L Rollover on West Navion Helideck After Loss of Dynamic Positioning Read Post »
Night Deck Landing Accident While Training off Brazil
We look at the 2024 CENIPA report into a 2021 night deck training accident off Brazil.
Night Deck Landing Accident While Training off Brazil Read Post »
Dramatic AW139 Accident at Houma: Skillful Recovery from a Latent Production Defect
Exemplary airmanship after a production defect, dormant for 11 years emerged. We look at human centred design and a ‘scary version’ of current supply chain issues.
Dramatic AW139 Accident at Houma: Skillful Recovery from a Latent Production Defect Read Post »
Two Offshore Passengers in GOM Survive Single Pilot Fatal Incapacitation
Despite a slow emergency response, 2 passengers survive after pilot incapacitated 2 weeks after a Class 1 medical. Second fatal pilot incapacitation in GOM in 2022.
Two Offshore Passengers in GOM Survive Single Pilot Fatal Incapacitation Read Post »
Fatal Offshore S-76C++ LOC-I & Water Impact Brazil 2022: CENIPA Investigation
The Aircraft Commander / Instructor died after a water impact during the first flight of a command course following a loss of control on approach to a NUI.
Fatal Offshore S-76C++ LOC-I & Water Impact Brazil 2022: CENIPA Investigation Read Post »
Fatal USCG SAR Training Flight: Inadvertent IMC
Lack of established procedures and lack of night/NVG over-water SAR recency feature in this 2012 USCG accident.
Night Offshore Helicopter Approach Water Impact
A night visual approach resulted in illusions that resulted in a water impact. Everyone on board was rescued but not before highlighting many survivability & SAR enhancements, as well as triggering improved helideck lighting and TAWS improvements.
Night Offshore Take-Off Loss of Control Incident Norway
A 40s loss of control occurred during the transition from visual to instrument flight during a disorientating night offshore TO without an external horizon.
Night Offshore Take-Off Loss of Control Incident Norway Read Post »