We review the USAF AIB report, looking at the catastrophic gear box failure and decision making seemingly influence by low risk awareness and commitment to completing the flight.
Deadly Delay: Catastrophic USAF CV-22B Osprey Gear Box Failure Read Post »
After completing a low level geophysical survey, a PA-31 was flown even lower back to base, hitting a powerline just 70 ft AGL.
“Sensation Seeking” Survey Fatal Accident Read Post »
Two birds struck a helicopter air ambulance with one damaging a pitch link and the swashplate drive arm, causing strong vibration. A safe landing was made.
Air Ambulance Bell 407 Pitch Links & Swashplate Drive Arm Bent in Double Bird Strike Read Post »
CHC Australia BK117 LOC-I after disorientation in deteriorating weather after an EGPWS terrain warning during a night HEMS positioning flight.
Night HEMS BK117 Loss of Control Read Post »
An impact with two red-tail hawks smashed the windscreen & the visor of the pilot’s helmet and ripped the helmet off. A safe landing was made
Air Ambulance Pilot’s Visor Smashed in Double Bird Strike Read Post »
Lack of established procedures and lack of night/NVG over-water SAR recency feature in this 2012 USCG accident.
Fatal USCG SAR Training Flight: Inadvertent IMC Read Post »
While leaning out of the right door during Human External Cargo training a pilot makes an unintended control input.
Pilot Induced B407 HEC Power Loss Read Post »
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 »
An inappropriate hook snags on a railing during solo R44 HESLO at an oil & gas site in Canada.
HESLO R44 Snagged by its Own Longline Read Post »
This fatal Canadian mining accident is a reminder there is risk of entanglement during any HESLO underslung load task.
Fatal Fall after HESLO Helicopter Hooks Worker Read Post »
Even though the bird entered at floor level, the HEMS pilot’s helmet was still splattered with debris.
HEMS H145 Bird Strike Read Post »
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 »
A Fire Dept set up a landing site at night under the edge of powerlines. The HEMS pilot looked for the wires using NVGs but could only see the towers.
Air Ambulance Night Wirestrike at Poorly Chosen Landing Site Read Post »
After landing in a confined space this HEMS helicopter started to slide backwards on an icy slope. We look at landing site recces.
HEMS Air Ambulance Landing Site Slide Read Post »
An inflight upset, consistent with a SAS/AP CUT, resulted in a rotor overspeed, and reduction of power from both engines
Air Ambulance EC135 Loss of Control & Main Rotor / Engine Overspeeds Read Post »
LOC-I. TFO died after being trapped after a water impact. NTSB Probable Cause: The helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit.
Police Helicopter Unanticipated Yaw & Fatal Water Impact Read Post »
A pilot credits HUET for his escape from a submerged fire-fighting helicopter.
Fire-fighting Bell 204B Underwater Escape Read Post »
The wing spar failed from fatigue cracking elsewhere in the wing that was missed during the same inspection.
We translate a South Korean report into an emergency service helicopter accident investigation. Spatial disorientation, use of automation and heliport management issues.
South Korean Night Black Hole Spatial Disorientation Fatal Helicopter Accident Read Post »
An aerial survey accident highlights problems implementing flight following technology, the dangerous use of marine lifejackets and the value of considering competence.
Helicopter Water Impact Accident: Safety of Airborne Geophysical Survey Operations Read Post »
A dramatic loss of control after a load snags doing HESLO from a lighthouse.
Lighthouse HESLO Accident Read Post »
Helicopter external sling load ops continued as weather deteriorated with fatal consequences.
A Concrete Case of Commercial Pressure: Fatal Swiss HESLO Accident Read Post »
A missing flying control cotter pin was identified by the NTSB investigation into a fatal S-61N accident in Hawaii. Interview evidence raises SMS effectiveness concerns.
Missing Cotter Pin Causes Fatal S-61N Accident Read Post »
After encountering turbulence a Loss of Control occurred when Force Trim Release (FTR) was activated.
SAR AW139 LOC-I During Positioning Flight Read Post »
An offshore medevac accident that highlights considering the changing risk of an individual flight, flight path management in degrading conditions and offshore survivability in a ‘regulatory void’.
BK117 Offshore Medevac CFIT & Survivability Issues Read Post »
