Fatal GOM B407 Offshore Take Off Accident: Safety, Helideck & SAR / Emergency Response Questions
The NTSB Preliminary Report is issued on what was the second RLC accident in 2 weeks.
Blinded by Light, Spanish Customs AS365 Crashed During Night-time Hot Pursuit
A helicopter contracted by Spanish customs hit the sea at night when descending to intercept smugglers. The sensor operator in the cabin died.
Blinded by Light, Spanish Customs AS365 Crashed During Night-time Hot Pursuit Read Post »
Night Mountain Rescue Hoist Training Fatal CFIT
Just days after being granted a SPA.HHO approval a CFIT occurred at night on the operator’s 6th training flight. A reminder that for a Management of Change, your SMS needs to actively manage risk.
Night Mountain Rescue Hoist Training Fatal CFIT Read Post »
Main Rotor Blade Certification Anomaly in Fatal Canadian Accident
TSB uncover a difference in interpreting certification requirements applied to retrofit composite blades resulting in an omitted test.
Main Rotor Blade Certification Anomaly in Fatal Canadian Accident Read Post »
DC3-TP67 CFIT: Result-Oriented Subculture & SMS Shelfware
Operating VFR in IMC had become a norm and as workload increased the aircraft commander “adopted a single-pilot mindset”. TSB reveal a consultant’s self-licking shelfware SMS re-write.
DC3-TP67 CFIT: Result-Oriented Subculture & SMS Shelfware Read Post »
North Sea Helicopter Struck Sea After LOC-I on Approach During Night Shuttling
When a pilot became disorientated during a night approach, an S-76A gets into a dangerously low energy state and strikes the sea. Despite two crew, the helicopter was “operated in a manner very little different from a single pilot operation”.
North Sea Helicopter Struck Sea After LOC-I on Approach During Night Shuttling Read Post »
AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture
US Air Ambulance AW169 survives birdstrike encounter with Texan Turkey Vulture.
AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture Read Post »
Review of “The impact of human factors on pilots’ safety behavior in offshore aviation – Brazil”
Research indicates intense commercial pressures, intolerable stress and fatigue, ‘schizophrenic’ simulator sessions and weaponizing of FDM, SMS and ‘fair culture boards’ in a “big brother reality show.” We review a recent paper published in Safety Science.
Helideck Heave Ho!
After a 7.5+ year wait Brazilian investigators identify that inaccurate helideck heave data was passed to this helicopter crew. But this occurrence also serves to highlight glacial progress globally adopting best practice.
Helideck Heave Ho! Read Post »
Offshore Night Near Miss: Marine Pilot Transfer Unintended Descent
During high workload night single pilot helicopter hoist flight an error in automation selection was not detected until a passenger warned the aircraft had descended to just 59 ft.
Offshore Night Near Miss: Marine Pilot Transfer Unintended Descent Read Post »
Air Methods AS350B3 Air Ambulance Tucson Tail Strike
Lots of questions from the photos that have emerged of a tail rotor strike at an elevated hospital helipad in the US.
Air Methods AS350B3 Air Ambulance Tucson Tail 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 »
SAR AW101 Roll-Over: Entry Into Service Involved “Persistently Elevated and Confusing Operational Risk”
Accident investigators say a SAR AW101 rolled over “during a period of persistently elevated and confusing operational risk” as the aircraft type was being introduced to military service in Norway.
A Second from Disaster: RNoAF C-130J Near CFIT
The investigation showed that the RNoAF should intensify its safety management, including on risk, competency and safety culture. It also identified a need for an independent and comprehensive supervisory body for military aviation in Norway.
A Second from Disaster: RNoAF C-130J Near CFIT Read Post »
NZ Firefighting AS350 Accident: Role Equipment Design Issues
The sling for the underslung fire-fighting bucket contacted the tail rotor resulting in a loss of control. Investigators identified a vulnerability in the bucket’s design and shortcomings in promulgating essential design data to operators.
NZ Firefighting AS350 Accident: Role Equipment Design Issues Read Post »
Inspection UAS Collides with PNG LNG Export Jetty
A quadcopter collided with the jetty it was inspecting as the remote pilot tried to maintain visual contact from inside the wheelhouse of a pilot vessel 100 m away.
Inspection UAS Collides with PNG LNG Export Jetty Read Post »
King Air 100 Uncontained TPE331-6 Failure – Inappropriate Repair Scheme
A failed brazed stator assembly repair resulted in an uncontained turbine failure. The investigation identified apparent omissions in a DER produced repair scheme.
King Air 100 Uncontained TPE331-6 Failure – Inappropriate Repair Scheme Read Post »
B206B Hit by Truck in Forced Landing after 16 Months of Operation with Unairworthy Engine
An engine overdue for overhaul was refitted and 16 months later failed. The operator was not approved for passenger transport but the company was in financial distress so the pilot and part-owner accepted this charter.
Deadly Dusk Air Ambulance Bird Strike
An air ambulance in cruise at c 1,000 ft struck multiple geese, crashing with the loss of 3 lives. At dusk the bird strike risk in that area was ‘severe’ according to USAF modelling, available online as a planning tool.
Deadly Dusk Air Ambulance Bird Strike 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.
Dash 8 Q400 Control Anomalies: 1 Worn Cable and 1 Mystery
The AAIB identify weaknesses in maintenance practices relating to flying control cables, an unrelated anomaly that has occurred on a number of Q400s and a weakness in how the Q400 FDR processes data that has been solved only for US operators.
Dash 8 Q400 Control Anomalies: 1 Worn Cable and 1 Mystery Read Post »
Too Extreme: Fatal Sky Combat Ace EA300 Aerobatic Accident
An operator’s inadequate oversight of its flights, routine exceedance of Flight Manual limitations and an inadequate regulatory structure for aerobatic ‘experiences’ are highlighted by NTSB.
Too Extreme: Fatal Sky Combat Ace EA300 Aerobatic Accident Read Post »
Fatal Mi-8 Loss of Control – Inflight and Water Impact off Svalbard
While on a VFR approach below minima to a mine site there was a loss of visual reference and a Loss of Control – Inflight. The helicopter impacted the water but neither aircraft nor occupants were equipped for sea survival. All 8 POB likely drowned or quickly succumb to hypothermia in 2°C water.
Fatal Mi-8 Loss of Control – Inflight and Water Impact off Svalbard Read Post »
OH-58C Crash After MRB Fatigue Crack
This accident begs further questions about the FAA approach to ex-military helicopters and the adequacy of continued airworthiness activity of non-OEM TC Holders.
OH-58C Crash After MRB Fatigue Crack Read Post »
CRJ-200 Landing Incident Highlighted US Maintenance Competency Inadequacies
A long delayed NTSB final report points to a series of maintenance standards and competency issues into this incident. Planned rulemaking to solve these was abandoned by FAA after 5 years.
CRJ-200 Landing Incident Highlighted US Maintenance Competency Inadequacies Read Post »