A catastrophic accident was prevented by the electrical harness. A series of quality issues were found in the FIPS. In particular screws intended for another part of the unit had been fitted and bottomed out leading to a fatigue failure.
Production Errors on a SAR AW139 Helicopter Full Ice Protection System Read Post »
This accident and the loss of 12 lives off the coast of Norway in 1997 had far reaching consequences for the use and regulation of helicopter HUMS.
Loss of AS332L1 LN-OPG off Brønnøysund, Norway, 8 September 1997 Read Post »
An offshore helicopter incident highlighted a new hazard as offshore industry practices change. We look at the lessons for companies using both helicopters and walk-to-work vessels to their NUIs.
Mind the Handrail! – Walk-to-Work Helideck Hazard Read Post »
319 seconds to disaster: a high speed impact on approach to a drilling rig off Mumbai. Night offshore ops are 6 times higher risk than daytime ops. We look at the lessons.
Night Offshore Training AS365N3 Accident in India 2015 Read Post »
A collision during apron works at Stavanger. A skipped risk assessment by airport/contractors, misleading concrete barriers and confirmation bias. Highlights the fallacy of over reliance on safety reporting.
S-92A Collision with Obstacle while Taxying Read Post »
The UK Airprox Board discuss interesting Human Factors (HF) aspects to an airprox off Aberdeen, Scotland involving two North Sea offshore helicopters in Feb 2017.
North Sea S-92A Helicopter Airprox Feb 2017 Read Post »
We look at health monitoring, both oil debris and HUMS/VHM, in light of the EC225 LN-OJF accident investigation.
Super Puma Epicyclic Gear Health Monitoring Background Read Post »
We look at HSAC data on GOM ops in 2016. A decline in helicopter usage continues but there were no air accidents. This was only the 4th fatality-free year in 33. 2017 is not as rosy.
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2016 Update Read Post »
Under customer induced time pressures, a pilot undergoing type conversion missed a unique type specific action that was not explicitly allocated to either PF or PM.
Strictly Scheduled: S-92A Start-Up Incident Read Post »
We report from the third HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on deepening commitment and collaboration to improve offshore helicopter safety.
Deepening Delivery: HeliOffshore 2017 Conference Report Read Post »
Corrosion was recently found on a flying control bracket of a 3 year old Australian Sikorsky S-92A masking the attachment bolt torque value.
Corrosion Found on an S-92A Flying Control Bracket Read Post »
A loose fuel tank cover on a motor yacht was blown free by a landing helicopter’s rotor downwash, struck the rotor, resulting in a water impact.
FOD and an AS350B3 Accident Landing on a Yacht in Bergen Read Post »
An AW139 helicopter made a precautionary ditching off Abu Dhabi on 29 April 2017 after loss of drive to the MGB cooling fan.
AW139 A6-AWN Ditching off UAE, 29 April 2017 Read Post »
In light of the LN-OJF investigation (and the earlier G-REDL accident) we look at this Critical Part in more detail.
Super Puma Second Stage Planet Gear Background Read Post »
The undetected failure of a TR pitch change bearing resulted in a horrific winching accident in Taiwan, in which two people died. We delve into the ASC’s final report (only published in full in Chinese).
AS365N3 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Loss During Hoisting Read Post »
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 »
News and photos from HAI Heli-Expo in Dallas, TX (6-9 March 2017).
Heli-Expo 2017 Photo Report Read Post »
A delay waiting for passengers from SGS to complete their work on a tanker in Galveston Bay meant this Bell 206B3 attempted a night flight back to shore.
Deadly Delay: GOM B206B3 Helicopter Night Accident 6 Feb 2017 Read Post »
We examine a recent total loss of tail rotor control to an offshore helicopter in the North Sea and previous similar occurrences.
CHC Scotia Sikorsky S-92A Loss of Tail Rotor Control Events Read Post »
A pilot reported a restriction of cyclic movement on a Sikorsky S-92A. We look what was found.
S-92A Flying Control Restriction on Wiring Loom Read Post »
We look at a fatal S-76C++ helicopter accident that highlights a range of certification, modification, crew alerting, training and emergency response lessons, and also discuss current activity on helicopter bird strike certification requirements.
Safety Lessons from a Fatal Helicopter Bird Strike: PHI Sikorsky S-76C++ Read Post »
We look back on our top aviation and safety articles of 2016. We thank all our readers for their support in 2016 and hope we can continue to prove a valuable source of information and insight in 2017!
Our Top 10 Articles of 2016 Read Post »
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 »
The ORAG provides a framework to develop consistent and coherent aviation support strategies for the offshore energy industry.
Offshore Renewables Aviation Guidance (ORAG) Issued Read Post »
NHV Heliport Officially Opened in Aberdeen The official opening of the NHV facility at Aberdeen Airport in Scotland occurred today. Following opening comments by Eric Van Hal (NHV CEO) and Jamie John (Base Manager Aberdeen), the facility was officially opened by Deirdre Michie (CEO Oil & Gas UK) and Simon Gray (CEO EEEGR). Deirdre Michie commented on
NHV Heliport Officially Opened in Aberdeen Read Post »
