After a change in tasking from surveillance to escorting the Governor’s motorcade, this police helicopter climbed and slowed, falling victim to Vortex Ring State (VRS) say the NTSB. While there is much discussed about recovery from VRS, avoidance is even more critical.
Vortex Ring State: Virginia State Police Bell 407 Fatal Accident Read Post »
The operator upped the minimum fuel load after this accident once it was realised that high nose up attitudes and fuel tank baffles could result in fuel starvation.
A Baffled Attitude Fuel Starvation Accident Read Post »
After this accident the pilot wisely identified 7 topics for a “pre-flight personal wellness check” to help determine readiness. The NTSB also found the operator’s CRM training omitted fatigue as a topic.
Fatigue Featured in Anchorage Alaska Air Ambulance Accident Read Post »
“An inflight collision with a hard object of polycarbonate construction, with size and features consistent with that of a small UAS (drone)” say NTSB.
Drone / Helicopter Mid Air Collision over LA City Hall ‘Probable’ Say NTSB Read Post »
NTSB say an extra seal, left in a fuel control unit during overhaul 17 years earlier, resulted in an engine flameout in Nevada of a contracted aggressor aircraft.
17 Year Old FOD and a TA-4K Ejection Read Post »
An engine power loss due to contamination in the overhaul shop and wire locking left on a quick release mechanism conspired in this fire-fighting helicopter crash.
Maintenance Issues in Fire-Fighting S-61A Accident Read Post »
A fatal water impact is caught by a tuna boat’s CCTV.
Fish Spotting Helicopter Strikes ‘Glassy’ Sea Read Post »
There is a theory that people let down their guard when the more complex part of a task is complete.
Fatal Wisconsin Wire Strike When Robinson R44 Repositions to Refuel Read Post »
A rain storm and incorrect use of water detection capsules when refuelling from drum stock resulted in a power loss and forced landing that destroyed an agricultural spray aircraft.
Turbine Dromader M18A Downed by Fuel Contamination: Shell Detector Capsules Misused Read Post »
A poor safety culture normalised rushed departure with inadequate preparation to do an air ambulance flight two other operators had turned down. The helicopter encountered snow and struck the ground during an Inadvertent IMC escape manoeuvre. Poor FAA oversight was contributory say NTSB.
Survival Flight Fatal Accident: Air Ambulance Operator’s Poor Safety Culture Read Post »
A pilot familiar with controls on the Arriel 2B1 powered AS350B3 got caught out preparing to take off in a 2B powered aircraft while simultaneously the collective was not properly locked.
AS350B3 Rolls Over: Pilot Caught Out By Engine Control Differences Read Post »
There is a surge in business opportunities for outsourced government SAR contracts in Norway, Netherlands, Ireland and the UK for entry into service 2022-2024.
BEA-E examine the lessons from a wire strike, spectacularly captured on video, while rescuing a jet-skier close to shore that severed the hoist cable causing two people to fall into the sea.
Sécurité Civile EC145 SAR Wirestrike Read Post »
Despite a Service Information Letter that highlighted the MM instructions, the NLG downlock actuator piston of this smokejumper aircraft was painted. The NLG collapsed on the next landing.
Poor Painting Prevents Proper Performance: Shorts Sherpa NLG Collapse Read Post »
Night SAR single pilot. While descending it entered a degraded visual environment and an inappropriate automation was made. ROD peaked at 1,952 ft/min. Aircraft pulled up at just 31 ft AGL. It was also flown on one more flight after the 159.5% over-torque.
SAR Helicopter Loss of Control at Night: ATSB Report Read Post »
The helicopter crashed after clipping a radio mast on a ridge line just 5 minutes into a positioning flight back from an inter-hospital transfer at night.
HEMS AW109S Collided With Radio Mast During Night Flight Read Post »
We translate the JTSB’s Feb 2020 and Jan 2021 updates on this accident.
Fukushima Police Leonardo AW139 Accident: JTSB Update Read Post »
Photos from HAI Heli-Expo 2020 in Anaheim, CA.
Heli-Expo 2020 Photo Report Read Post »
An accident to a police helicopter in the Caribbean resulted in a worldwide check for corrosion in flying control actuators.
EC135 Main Rotor Actuator Tie-Bar Failure Read Post »
Only when looking beyond the completely obvious cause and effect can you see that the accident is more complicated. Obstacle mapping and procedures for approaching ad hoc sites of note.
Norwegian HEMS Landing Wirestrike Read Post »
Within a year a US HEMS operator repeats a Canadian police accident.
EC130B4 Destroyed After Ice Ingestion – Engine Intake Left Uncovered Read Post »
The long line abraded against a power cable and the two linesmen died in a fall from 100ft.
Fatal Powerline Human External Cargo Flight Read Post »
Dimming the NVG compatible cockpit lighting for a flight at dusk meant the fuel transfer pump caution lights were invisible. The failure to turn these pumps on was only evident after flameout. We wrote of this problem 14 months earlier after a NZ HEMS accident.
A winchman and casualty died when they impacted the sea at speed during hoisting at night with a helicopter that lacked autohover.
Fatal Taiwanese Night SAR Mission Read Post »
