While flying a shallow approach using NVIS a HEMS helicopter entered low-lying fog. After being startled and blinded by the NVGs, the pilot initiated a go-around but the helicopter briefly contacted the ground.
A HEMS Helicopter Had a Lucky Escape During a NVIS Approach to its Home Base Read Post »
A 1.1 t load was moved to pylon 151, just the wrong pylon 151. A gust caught the helicopter at the worst moment, just as the longline became taut.
Dynamic Rollover During HESLO at Gusty Mountain Site Read Post »
Reflective observations from a pilot after an accident while conducting external load operations from a research vessel off the coast of Alaska.
Ditching after Blade Strike During HESLO from a Ship Read Post »
Repositioning to avoid a storm, this air ambulance crashed just short of its destination on a 3-minute flight.
Air Methods AS350B3 Night CFIT in Snow Read Post »
Prompt Emergency Landing Saves Powerline Survey Crew After MGB Pinion Failure (First European Aviation Hughes 369D SE-JVJ) On 1 August 2019 Swedish registered Hughes (now MD Helicopters) 369D, SE-JVJ, operated by Polish company First European Aviation, was mapping Norwegian electricity distribution lines for Eidsiva Nett using both laser scanning and aerial photography when it was involved in an
Prompt Emergency Landing Saves Powerline Survey Crew After MGB Pinion Failure Read Post »
Investigators say the pilot was requested to land closer to the casualty and having skipped a low recce the crew’s attention was on obstacles not the slope and still landed after a Mast Moment warning.
AD issued to inspect the B430 main rotor pitch link clevis after the second of two accidents that cost the lives of 11 people.
Deteriorating weather caused a hurried change of plan to use a technique for which there were no documented procedures.
Sécurité Civile EC145 Mountain Rescue Main Rotor Blade Strike Leads to Tail Strike Read Post »
The value of doing a ‘full and free’ flying control check was demonstrated in this incident.
Firefighting CH-54 Flying Control FOD Find Read Post »
This helicopter was allowed to drift to the right while preparing to lift a load at a remote mining exploration site.
HESLO Dynamic Rollover in Alaska Read Post »
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.
At first the pilot wasn’t aware that the helicopter’s tail rotor had stuck the helideck perimeter netting…
Air Ambulance B407 Hospital Helipad Deck Edge Tail Strike During Shallow Approach Read Post »
During an approach to a hillside fire, airspeed drops dangerously low and the helicopter drifts backwards into trees…
Firefighting AW139 Loss of Control and Tree Impact Read Post »
BEA-E identify a range of possible factors for the jamming of a hoist and severing of the hoist cable during a military training exercise.
Military SAR H225M Caracal Double Hoist Fatality Accident Read Post »
After abandoning an inland routing, the crew headed to the coast but fly into high ground after an Inadvertent entry into Instrument Metrological Conditions (IIMC).
Sécurité Civile Fatal EC145 CFIT: Night, Low Ceiling and a Change in Route Read Post »
A change in plan resulted in a helicopter returning with an unballasted sling and at a higher than advised speed this entangled with the tail rotor.
Unballasted Sling Stings Speedy Squirrel Read Post »
A police helicopter presses on for a second time into deteriorating weather.
Plan Continuation Bias & IIMC in Kenyan Police AW119 Accident Read Post »
We look at a takeoff accident to a USAF UAS where the engine condition lever was retarded instead of the flaps being retracted.
USAF MQ-9A Reaper Lever Confusion: Human Factors Read Post »
A key component was never recovered, investigators seem to have misunderstood their own laboratory’s report on another and the NTSB conclusions omit to identify the evident failure of a shear pin to correctly perform its safety function as a factor.
JTSB comment: “When introducing new equipment, it is necessary to confirm in advance, the usage including appropriate selection, and sufficiently identify the risk factors”.
SAR AW139 Dropped Object: Attachment of New Hook Weight Read Post »
Fire after activating the rotor brake while the No. 2 engine was still set to govern the power turbine speed.
S-76A++ Rotor Brake Fire Read Post »
The fourth accident to this H369D proved fatal. NTSB identify that undetected prior engine mount damage was the cause of a clutch failure while using an aerial saw at low level.
Prior Engine Mount Damage Lead to Fatal Aerial Saw Crash Read Post »
PSM+ICR: A propulsion system malfunction (a failing No 2 engine) was followed by an inappropriate crew response (shutting down the No 1 engine). The NTSB show how the pilot may not have been familiar with how the helicopter’s displays respond in emergencies.
NTSB points to a failure to consider the Density Altitude in this spectacular air ambulance accident caught on video. But there are wider lessons about planning and landing site hazards.
US Air Ambulance Near Miss with Zip Wire and High ROD Impact at High Density Altitude Read Post »
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 »
