We look at HSAC data on GOM ops in 2015. A decline in helicopter usage is evident. 3 accidents but none fatal (only 3rd fatality-free year in 32).
Helicopter Ops and Safety – Gulf Of Mexico 2015 Update Read Post »
Investigators uncovered mods, maintenance, training, W&B and briefing discrepancies. Highlights importance of mindful contracting for air services.
Fatal Flaws in Canadian Medevac Service Read Post »
The TSB has issued its report into an uncontained PW1524G engine failure during certification ground testing of the Bombardier CS100.
Uncontained PW1524G Failure During CS100 (A220) Certification Testing Read Post »
Carrier Arrestor System Maintenance Errors Eye watering video has emerged of a mishap on the US aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Atlantic on 18 March 2016. The 1½-inch-thick steel arrestor wire failed during the landing of a Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye and during the go-around the E-2C drops out of sight below
Carrier Arrestor System Maintenance Errors Read Post »
Dutch Safety Board Investigation: “Medical Assistance on the North Sea” The Dutch Safety Board (DSB) has issued their investigation following the death of a sports diver in the North Sea on 11 July 2015. The Incident Two sports divers were diving on a wreck 18km offshore. One fell ill and was recovered from the water unconscious.
Dutch Safety Board Investigation: “Medical Assistance on the North Sea” Read Post »
The first B525 Relentless helicopter prototype was lost in a fatal flight test accident on 6 July 2016.
Bell 525 Prototype N525TA Fatal Flight Test Accident Read Post »
Errant Notebook Sends Diving Ship Off-Station – HF in Design The Australian National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has recently published a safety alert on a serious incident to a Dynamic Position (DP) vessel that made an uncommanded movement during a diving operation that highlighted a significant design vulnerability. The Incident The vessel
Errant Notebook Sends Diving Ship Off-Station – HF in Design Read Post »
We examine the investigation into the loss of CHC EC225 in Norway on 29 April 2016.
CHC EC225 LN-OJF Norway Accident Investigation Timeline Read Post »
EASA Annual Safety Review 2016 Published The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Annual Safety Review for 2016 is now available. In the introduction EASA say: The Review has been published since 2005 and the content of the document continues to evolve. Safety Risk Portfolios are now provided for 10 different operational domains. For the first time
EASA Annual Safety Review 2016 Published Read Post »
ANSV Issue AW609 Tilt Rotor Accident Investigation Report Investigators say a prototype tilt rotor broke up in flight after a divergent dutch roll developed in a high speed dive. The Italian civil aviation safety investigation authority, the Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo (ANSV), has issued an interim statement of the loss of prototype #2 (AC2) Leonardo AW609 tilt rotor N609AG
ANSV Issue AW609 Tilt Rotor Accident Investigation Report Read Post »
The operator had insufficient resources to effectively manage safety say TSB. The regulator had concerns but its approach did not ensure timely rectification.
HEMS Black Hole Accident: “Organisational, Regulatory and Oversight Deficiencies” Read Post »
Significant structural damage occurs when crew make opposing pitch inputs say ATSB. The damage is missed for 13 subsequent flights.
ATR72 In-Flight Pitch Disconnect and Structural Failure Read Post »
For Rotors Grease is the Word We look at two helicopter accidents (one fatal) where grease, and in particular the absence of grease, were critical factors. Case 1: AS355F1 N58020 15 September 2012, New Jersey (One Fatality) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report that, Airbus Helicopters AS355F1, N58020 operated by charter operator Analar Corporation was making a positioning flight
For Rotors Grease is the Word Read Post »
NTSB Report on C208B Caravan Ditching, Molokai, Hawaii, 2013 The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on confusion over the applicable engine Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) and ditching procedures in a fatal 2013 accident in Hawaii. Cessna 208B Caravan N687MA, operated by Makani Kai Air, ditched off off Hawaii on 11 December 2013,
NTSB Report on C208B Caravan Ditching, Molokai, Hawaii, 2013 Read Post »
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident (Western Australia Police Air Wing Airbus AS365N3 VH-WPX) The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has just issued a report on an incident where a helicopter’s rotor blades were damaged during start up by Foreign Object Debris (FOD), namely a tool that had been left behind from earlier maintenance. The Incident Flight
Rotor Blade Tool Control FOD Incident Read Post »
UK AAIB: Boeing Safety Responses ‘Not Adequate’ Six months ago we published an article that discussed the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into a serious incident involving a Boeing 747-443 G-VROM on 29 December 2014. AAIB has recently published an update on responses to their recommendations by Boeing. Two were classed ‘Not Adequate’, one ‘Partially Adequate’
UK AAIB: Boeing Safety Responses ‘Not Adequate’ Read Post »
We report from the second HeliOffshore Conference and AGM on commitment and collaboration to improve offshore helicopter safety.
Offshore Helicopter Safety Performance: 2016 HeliOffshore Conference Report Read Post »
This accident had major lessons on the management of maintenance/maintenance errors, dangerous goods handling and regulatory behaviour.
ValuJet Flight 592: 11 May 1996 Read Post »
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study Earlier this year the German accident investigation agency, the BFU, published their report into Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Bell 412HP that suffered a rear cross tube failure during start up at a hospital in Berlin on 6 September 2010. The helicopter was fitted with ‘high’ skids manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Inc
Bell 412 Cross Tube Failure Case Study Read Post »
EC225/H225 Main Rotor Head and Main Gear Box Design (CHC LN-OJF Fatal Accident 2016) Following the recent tragic accident at Turøy near Bergen, Norway involving CHC Airbus EC225/H225 LN-OJF there is a lot of interest in the Main Rotor (MR) and Main Gear Box (MGB) design of the EC225. Here we provide some background information on the
EC225 Main Rotor Head and Main Gear Box Design Read Post »
During night winch training a German HEMS BK117 suffered a fatal CFIT in the Baltic, highlighting readiness, equipment, procedural and training issues.
Night Offshore Windfarm HEMS Winch Training CFIT (BK117C1 D-HDRJ) Read Post »
5000-1 Safety Lesson: Communication After their spectacular season, starting as 5000-1 underdogs but ultimately winning the English Football Premiership, a number of commentators have been discussing the success of Leicester City FC and their manager, Claudio Ranieri. In one article, the Guardian observes (emphasis added): They use technology that is more commonplace at the highest level…, regularly
5000-1 Safety Lesson: Communication Read Post »
Chernobyl: 30 Years On – Lessons in Safety Culture Late at night on 26 April 1986 in the then USSR, a team of nuclear workers prepared to conduct a test on Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant as part of an otherwise routine shutdown. The exercise was to test a modified safety system
Chernobyl: 30 Years On – Lessons in Safety Culture Read Post »
Inadvertently leaving lights dimmed, a compromised NVG mod, no aural low fuel warning and negligible recent experience on type all feature in this NZ HEMS incident.
Dim, Negative Transfer Double Flameout Read Post »
NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System at 40 and the Continued Challenge of Timeliness for Safety Reporting On 16 April 16 2016 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) celebrated 40 years of operation. Its origins highlights one major challenge of safety reporting, learning and action: timeliness. The Purpose and Administration of
NASA ASRS at 40 and the Continued Challenge of Timeliness for Safety Reporting Read Post »
