A319 Double Cowling Loss and Fire – AAIB Report The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has published their report into an Airbus A319 that lost both engine fan cowlings and suffered an associated fire on take-off from London Heathrow in 2013. We look at the circumstances of the previous evening’s maintenance on this aircraft, […]
A319 Double Cowling Loss and Fire – AAIB Report Read Post »
DuPont Reputational Explosion Chemical company DuPont (E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co Inc.) has been feted for its safety performance for many years (for example winning the National Safety Council‘s 2013 Robert W. Campbell Award). Its reputation in the field of safety stretches back to the founding of the company as a gunpowder manufacturer in
DuPont Reputational Explosion Read Post »
Scottish Court Orders Release of Sumburgh Helicopter CVFDR A Scottish Court has ordered that the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) release the combined Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR) from a fatal 2013 AS332L2 Super Puma offshore helicopter accident at Sumburgh to prosecutors, who will use the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to “provide an expert opinion on
Scottish Court Orders Release of Sumburgh Helicopter CVFDR Read Post »
EASA North Sea Offshore Helicopter Operations Review Today the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) open the sealed bids for a new research study, EASA.2015.HVP.01, entitled: Helicopter North Sea Operations Management Current Practices Safety Review EASA say: Apart from analysis of past accidents and incidents, the need of more detailed and systematic analysis of the practices
EASA North Sea Offshore Helicopter Operations Review Read Post »
Wide commitment to safety through collaboration was evident at HeliOffshore’s first conference, attended by over 150 people from across the offshore sector.
HeliOffshore Inaugural Conference 2015 Read Post »
Culture + Non Compliance + Mechanical Failures = DC-3 Accident (Buffalo Airways C-GWIR) The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) recently issued a report on the forced landing of a 1942 Douglas DC-3 C-GWIR after an engine failure on 19 August 2013. The Buffalo Airways aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger flight between Yellowknife and Hay River
Culture + Non Compliance + Mechanical Failures = DC3 Accident Read Post »
1950’s Aerial Firefighting and Smokey Bear A look at aerial firefighting 60+ years ago: However, as per the background poster: If you really feel the need to sing along to Smokey Bear we are happy to oblige: https://youtu.be/sfgWbhPYFGI But while in the song it is Smokey THE Bear (to scan better), the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 U.S.C.
1950’s Aerial Firefighting and Smokey Bear Read Post »
More US Night Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Accidents At the beginning of March 2015 we published an article on the aftermath of a 2003 fatal night-time US HEMS accident: Life Flight 6 – US HEMS Post Accident Review. During March 2015 there were two more fatal night-time medical helicopter accidents in the US. Air Methods EC130B4 6
More US Night HEMS Accidents Read Post »
A320 Unstabilised Approaches: A Descent Below Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) and a Runway Excursion at Lyon An airline introducing a new type suffers a serious incident while training a new captain, highlighting the importance of Management of Change, Risk Assessment and good Training. UPDATE: Then within a year they have a runway excursion after an unstabilised approach at
A320 Unstabilised Approaches: Descent Below MSA and a Runway Excursion at Lyon Read Post »
North Sea Helicopter Safety – Step Change in Safety Event The offshore industry safety initiative, Step Change in Safety, held a workforce engagement seminar on Helicopter Safety in Aberdeen in early March. The presentations are all available to download (click on the presenter’s name below): HSSG Update – Mark Abbey This presentation on behalf of
North Sea Helicopter Safety – Step Change in Safety Event Read Post »
Operator & FAA Shortcomings in Alaskan B1900 Accident UPDATE 10 April 2018: with details below of further NTSB recommendations after a 2016 C208B accident The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has reported on a Beechcraft 1900C accident on the North Slope of Alaska on 23 Nov 2013. The B1900C was being operated by Hageland Aviation Services (doing
Operator & FAA Shortcomings in Alaskan B1900 Accident Read Post »
An ATR72, abruptly flown at a high RoD triggered multiple TAWS warnings. This incident, 1 of 3 with the same aircraft, highlighted safety underreporting.
Multiple TAWS Warnings Reveal Safety Reporting Issue Read Post »
In 2003 a HEMS A109K2 helicopter was lost in a fatal accident in Salt Lake City, UT in poor weather.
Life Flight 6 – US HEMS Accident Read Post »
An experimental X-31 was making a routine test flight when disaster struck. NASA produced a unique documentary insight into this accident and its lessons.
Breaking the Chain: X-31 Lessons Learned Read Post »
Aerossurance Joins HeliOffshore HeliOffshore is a global safety-focused organisation formed by major offshore helicopter operators. They state: We enable helicopter operators to develop, share and apply best practices, create and use advanced technology, and advocate for harmonised flight standards. HeliOffshore is dedicated to achieving the highest levels of safety, in the air and on the
Aerossurance Joins HeliOffshore Read Post »
UK CAA CAP1145: Update on North Sea Helicopter Safety (CAP1243) Not long after the fatal loss of Eurocopter AS332L2 G-WNSB 1.5 nm west of Sumburgh Airport, Shetland Islands on 23 August 2013 with 4 fatalities (AAIB Special Bulletin), the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) launched an rapid review on offshore helicopter safety. CAP1145 This CAA Review resulted in the CAP1145 report
UK CAA CAP1145: Update on North Sea Helicopter Safety (CAP1243) Read Post »
The Power of Safety Leadership: Paul O’Neill, Safety and Alcoa In his book The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change, Charles Duhigg, described the reaction to Paul O’Neill’s first presentation as the new CEO of the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) in 1987: A few minutes before noon, the new
The Power of Safety Leadership: Paul O’Neill, Safety and Alcoa Read Post »
An overweight helicopter, flown with a known defect, ditched during a poorly executed approach to a GOM drilling rig, then water taxying was attempted…
NTSB Report on Bizarre 2012 US S-76B Ditching Read Post »
James Reason’s 12 Principles of Error Management James Reason, Professor Emeritus, University of Manchester, set out 12 systemic human factors centric principles of error management in his book Managing Maintenance Error: A Practical Guide (co-written with Alan Hobbs and published in 2003). These principles are valid beyond aviation maintenance and are well worth re-visiting: Human error is both universal
James Reason’s 12 Principles of Error Management Read Post »
Both engines flamed out on a police helicopter over a crowded city with multiple fatalities. We examine the accident report. But its not where you think.
Accident Report: Fatal Police Helicopter Double Engine Flameout Over City Centre Read Post »
Research shows that rushing to blame your own employees might not only increase the risk you’ll fail to prevent future accidents but tends to turn public opinion against you too.
Psychology of Blame Read Post »
We look at 10 lessons on the early warning of crises
Disasters and Crises – 10 Lessons on Early Warning Read Post »
US Vehicle Regulator in Firing Line The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been criticized by politicians and safety advocates this week for its handling of critical safety defects with the air bags on millions of vehicles. It is reported that: The faulty air bags can explode with too much force and spray shrapnel at
US Vehicle Regulator in Firing Line Read Post »
HeliOffshore Launch HeliOffshore, whose foundation we discussed in June, was launched today in London. HeliOffshore have issued the following press release: Oct. 21, 2014 – London – Five major helicopter operators today officially announced a new industry association – HeliOffshore – for The new association was introduced at a launch event at its offices in London.
HeliOffshore Launch Read Post »
Safety culture is increasingly recognised as critical to safety performance. But how do you develop your organisation’s safety culture? Safety Leadership.
How To Develop Your Organisation’s Safety Culture Read Post »
