Legends: When HM Customs & Excise Sank the Drug Running Tug Adherence in the Bay of Biscay
A WWII tug covertly purchased by HM Customs and unofficially renamed Adherence II (fittingly a not very watertight ‘legend’) sinks in the Bay of Biscay.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades
An S-76C++ with 14 POB suffered a loss of control when the Commander took over from the Co-Pilot after a lightning strike in IMC.
Triggered Lightning: Lost of Control & Tail Rotor Blades Read Post »
A Maintenance Error Preceded a Fiery Fatal AS350B3 Accident
A high base maintenance workload and disruptions resulted in a forced landing. A boundary fence post punctured the fuel tank and a post crash fire followed.
A Maintenance Error Preceded a Fiery Fatal AS350B3 Accident 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 »
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 »
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.
OceanGate Titan: Toxic Culture & Fatal Hubris Read Post »
EC155 / Light Aircraft Mid Air Collision: All Survive
Miraculous escape after EC155 / light aircraft collision. Only helicopter crew saw the other aircraft but <2 seconds before collision.
EC155 / Light Aircraft Mid Air Collision: All Survive 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
HEMS Downwash Injuries: Two More Case Studies
A third party injury at a UK HEMS site and a medical personnel head injury during training in Canada.
HEMS Downwash Injuries: Two More Case Studies Read Post »
Drift into Danger: AW109SP Night HLS Accident
Helicopter landing site suitability, flight planning and Threat & Error Management are all topics discussed in this AAIB report where an AW109 contacted trees during a night take off.
Drift into Danger: AW109SP Night HLS Accident Read Post »
HEMS H145 Bird Strike
Even though the bird entered at floor level, the HEMS pilot’s helmet was still splattered with debris.
HEMS H145 Bird Strike Read Post »
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 Helicopter Approach Water Impact Read Post »
Multi-Tasking Managers & Deficient Operational Control: Low Viz AS350B3 Take-Off Accident
Two people died after a loss of visual references shortly after take-off in the transition from vertical to horizontal flight. NSIA point to organisational and systemic factors.
In-Flight Break-up of King Air C90 After Wing Spar Repaired Against Manufacturer’s Advice
The wing spar failed from fatigue cracking elsewhere in the wing that was missed during the same inspection.
Maintenance Distraction in Bell 407 Accident
After this accident the operator introduced an RII / Independent Inspection program.
Maintenance Distraction in Bell 407 Accident Read Post »
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident
An £81 mn fighter is downed by FOD, one of its own intake blanks.
This case study illustrates James Reason’s concept of Organisational Accidents and how just asking “who left the intake blank ?” misses the real reasons behind this accident.
The Loss of RAF F-35B ZM152: An Organisational Accident Read Post »
Swinging Snorkel Sikorsky Smash: Structural Stress Slip-up
Inadequate consideration of loads during design resulted in a fractured mounting of a 15ft snorkel, which then struck the main rotor killing 4.
Swinging Snorkel Sikorsky Smash: Structural Stress Slip-up 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 »
After Landing this HEMS Helicopter Suddenly Started to Slide Towards it’s Hangar…
We look at why a HEMS helicopter suddenly started to move while on an elevated hospital helipad…
After Landing this HEMS Helicopter Suddenly Started to Slide Towards it’s Hangar… Read Post »