Australia may ground R44s without bladder tank upgrade
Source: ATSB, 05-Apr-13
Robinson R44 helicopters that have not been fitted with upgraded fuel tanks face being grounded from 30 April 2013. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued a direction to all affected R44 helicopter operators about the installation of flexible fuel tanks to reduce the risk of post-accident fires. CASA has made it clear that R44 [...]
ATSB report says R22 tail contacted rock in fatal Kimberley crash
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Mar-13
The Australian investigation authority ATSB has issued their final report on the fatal R22 accident on 3rd October last year which occurred 130 km west of Halls Creek in Western Australia. The summary is a blunt reminder of issues with confined areas, light levels etc What happened On 3 October 2012 the pilots of two [...]
ATSB Commissioner reappointed
Source: ATSB, 20-Feb-13
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) welcomed the reappointment of Ms Carolyn Walsh as a member of the ATSB Commission. Ms Walsh’s appointment by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Anthony Albanese will commence on 8 March 2013 and will run for a further three years. Ms Walsh has a wealth of experience [...]
Australian fatal R44 accident caused by pilot incapacitation
Source: ATSB, 27-Jan-13
ATSB summary of the accident follows:- What happened On 3 September 2011, the pilot and one crewman of a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 helicopter, registered VH-HCA (HCA), departed an airstrip located near Kumarina roadhouse, approximately 150 km south of Newman, Western Australia. The crew were conducting low-level geophysical survey operations when the pilot was observed [...]
Australia – Follow the ATSB on Twitter
Source: ATSB, 04-Jan-13
You can now get the latest ATSB news and updates via our Twitter account: @ATSBinfo. We will use Twitter to tell you about a range of activities and initiatives, including: new and updated investigations investigation and research report releases new safety awareness products. Some things to keep in mind The ATSB will not guarantee responding to [...]
ATSB warns of the risks surrounding practice autorotations
Source: ATSB, 15-Nov-12
As a result of the ATSB investigation and in order to reduce the level of risk associated with emergency training, a helicopter operator is investigating amendments to their company operations manual. One amendment being investigated by the operator is the requirement for at least 10 kts of wind in the runway direction for the performance [...]
Watch out for wires, says ATSB
Source: ATSB, 13-Nov-12
The ATSB’s investigation into a wirestrike accident highlights the importance of a proper reconnaissance when flying in a wire environment and remaining focused only on operational tasks. On 12 June 2012, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Raven 1 helicopter departed Moorabbin Airport, Victoria with one person on board to conduct a private flight to a [...]
Vanuatu asks Australia to investigate fatal H500D accident
Source: ATSB, 01-Sep-11
Incident referred to is in HeliHub.com accident data at 28-Aug-11 YJ-HEL Hughes 369D South Malakula, Vanuatu (1F) On 29 August 2011, the ATSB was notified by the Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of an accident that occurred on the island of Maleluka, Vanuatu on 26 August 2011 and involved Hughes 369D helicopter, registered YJ-HEL. It [...]
ATSB joins Twitter
Source: ATSB, 25-Jul-11
You can now get the latest ATSB news and updates via our Twitter account: @ATSBinfo. We will use Twitter to tell you about a range of activities and initiatives, including: new and updated investigations investigation and research report releases new safety awareness products. Some things to keep in mind The ATSB will not guarantee responding to [...]
ATSB warns R22 pilots: ‘Know your aircraft’s limits’
Source: ATSB, 25-Jul-11
Robinson R22 helicopter pilots are being cautioned of a drive belt risk following a fatal accident in north-west Queensland. On 9 May 2011, a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter crashed after its drive belts failed during mustering operations near Julia Creek (the drive belts transmit engine power to the helicopter’s main and tail rotor blades). [...]
Detached bolt cited in Australian fatal R44 investigation
Source: ATSB, 18-Mar-11
On 4 February 2011, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Astro helicopter (R44), registered VH‑HFH, was conducting circuit operations at Cessnock Aerodrome, New South Wales. On board the helicopter were an instructor, a pilot undergoing a helicopter flight review and a passenger. Following the completion of a sequence involving the simulated failure of the helicopter’s hydraulic‑boost [...]
