Four people died in a mid air collision while two aircraft were making training flights. Investigators dispute the effectiveness of see and avoid.
Limitations of See and Avoid: Four Die in HEMS Helicopter / PA-28 Mid Air Collision Read Post »
A flight nurse reaching for the floor mounted PTT switch resulted in a yaw that exceeded certification requirements. The damage was missed until the next day.
Inadvertent PTT Pedal Input Causes Tail Rotor Tailboom Contact Read Post »
US Air Ambulance AW169 survives birdstrike encounter with Texan Turkey Vulture.
AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture Read Post »
The pilot recounts a FOD event in-flight while flying the media over the violent ‘Emerald Triangle’ of illegal marijuana plantations in Northern California.
Loose Clothing Downs Marijuana Survey Helicopter Read Post »
NTSB are investigating a US air ambulance tail rotor strike on approach to an elevated hospital helipad.
US Air Ambulance Helicopter Hospital Heliport Tail Strike Read Post »
Ergonomics during a flight test was likely cause of a mast bumping event say NTSB. The dual controls remained fitted and a flight test engineer was holding a 3.5 kg laptop over the cyclic with one hand while making notes with the other.
NTSB: Ergonomics Explain Main Rotor Loss During Flight Test Read Post »
An RCAF SAR crew were surprised when the Pilot Flying’s seat unexpectedly descended to its lowest position while hovering.
SAR Seat Slip Smash Read Post »
We look at the investigation into how a police helicopter came to be rotors running on an open public road and be struck by a truck carrying biological waste.
Investigation into Collision of Truck with Police Helicopter Read Post »
The HEMS pilot, who had been cleared to fly after a previous head injury, suffered a seizure say investigators. The helicopter yawed into a snow bank, ejecting a casualty who was being loaded.
HEMS Pilot Seizure While Rotor-Running Read Post »
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 »
An EC130T2 had its dual controls removed but the collective balance was misrigged. This resulted in it becoming inadvertently airborne while rotors running on an elevated helipad in Memphis. CCTV caught the incident on video.
Air Ambulance Leaps into Air: Misrigged Flying Controls Read Post »
A loop of cable snagged on the MLG and the cable was severed. The aircraft was later released to fly with MLG damage.
SAR Hoist Cable Snag and Facture, Followed By Release of an Unserviceable Aircraft Read Post »
There was a lack of coordination between helicopter and drone operations filming an off-road race. See the video running up to a Mid Air Collision.
Helicopter / Drone Mid Air Collision Filming Off-Road Race Read Post »
A passer-by is injured by downwash from an AW139 on final approach to an elevated helipad over a major urban road.
Pedestrian Seriously Injured by Air Ambulance Landing at Melbourne Hospital Read Post »
It is reported that after going IIMC in fog during a night approach using NVIS the pilot attempted to hand fly the go-around without de-coupling the autopilot.
Air Ambulance Helicopter Struck Ground During Go-Around after NVIS Inadvertent IMC Entry Read Post »
A good example of never letting your guard down after higher risk activities have ended and treating even small unexpected events as a threat.
Snagged Sling Line Pulled into Main Rotor During HESLO Shutdown Read Post »
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 »
LOC-I on a low, slow downwind leg lead to a water impact. The front crew both became fatally trapped. Shortcomings in equipment and training were identified.
Dutch Maritime NH90 Caribbean Accident: Focus on the Survivability Issues Read Post »
The hazard of flat light is its insidious nature. Even when visibility is good and the horizon is visible, a loss of depth perception may go undetected by the pilot.
Canadian Flat Light CFIT Read Post »
Changed Albedo: A change in runway surface catches out a police pilot during training with NVIS.
NVIS Autorotation Training Hard Landing: Changed Albedo Read Post »
While undertaking a hoist rescue this Italian AW139 suffered a main rotor blade strike.
Italian Alps AW139 Mountain Rescue Hoisting Blade Strike Read Post »
A fire-fighting helicopter drifts backwards into a fuel bowser.
South Korean Fire-Fighting Helicopter Tail Rotor Strike on Fuel Bowser Read Post »
After an emergency landing investigators found that an S-76D engine duct was partially detached. We also look at a more dramatic A109A accident that involved a different exhaust duct failure mode.
Emergency S-76D Landing Due to Fumes Read Post »
After a series of hoisting exercises the crew were doing a final exercise to simulate an rare electrical emergency. Unbeknown to them they had a tailwind as they came into the hover.
French Cougar Crashed After Entering VRS When Coming into Hover Read Post »
A change in task and a common misinterpretation leads to operation below established fuel minima. A norm of leaving a HEC belly-band in place on non-HEC tasks complicated sling release, and the line went taut before the autorotation was complete.
Fuel Starvation During Powerline HESLO Read Post »
