12-Apr-2011Source: Grey Owl Aviation Consultants
Grey Owl Aviation Consultants Inc. is offering two Human Factors Workshops during May in Titusville, Fla. Human Factors – Phase I. May 18-19, 2011 Objective To equip aviation maintenance technicians, supervisors and managers with the skills necessary to enhance safety, teamwork and efficiency in the workplace, and therefore, reduce aircraft maintenance errors. This workshop is... Read more
11-Apr-2011Source: Physorg
Research from Ed Smith, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Penn State Rotorcraft Center of Excellence... Read more
7-Apr-2011Source: US DoD
If you are or were a U.S. military helicopter pilot or crewmember, the Department of Defense wants to know if you suffered back/neck pain or injury (not resulting from an aviation mishap) that may be related to your service in helicopters. Back pain afflicts approximately 20% of the general population, but studies have indicated military... Read more
5-Apr-2011Source: Helibras
(Electronic translation from original Portuguese press release) The shielding system of Squirrel helicopters produced by Helibras provides protection for crews and aircraft parts considered vital against light weapons with a caliber 7.62 and 5.56 mm level III, enhancing its ability to work in hostile environments. The installation consists of putting removable plates of material resistant... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: NEMSPA
On Tuesday March 22nd, multiple helicopter operators and pilots from every facet of the industry in and around the Cincinnati metro area got together to participate in an open discussion on helicopter safety as it pertains to Cincinnati. The meeting was a joint venture put together by the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) and the... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: UNOCI
A helicopter belonging to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), was shot at on Monday afternoon while on a reconnaissance flight above Duekoué. Elements of the Forces Républicaines de Côte d’Ivoire (FRCI) fired at the helicopter, but failed to hit it. UNOCI strongly condemns this attack against its peacekeepers, which could be considered... Read more
31-Mar-2011Source: CHC
CHC has always been proud of its single, world-wide system for incident reporting, but how can that data be used to benefit customers and the company? It is critical to have the right data and we start by measuring things that are important to customers, to safety, and to the growth of the company. These... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: Boston Globe
Military authorities have ended an investigation into a crash of a Puerto Rico National Guard helicopter that killed six people, saying they could not determine what caused the December accident. See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 20-Dec-10 07-02069 Eurocopter UH-72 Vieques, Puerto Rico (6F)... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: Dialy Mail
The authority has asked for unedited footage of the waterskiing stunt shown in Network Ten’s Keeping Up With the Joneses. Mr Jones, who owns the 700sq km Coolibah station on the Victoria River, said he was towing his 15-year-old son Beau. [File photo]... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com is having increasing success with its “Gallery†feature, recording over 6,000 images and increasing at a rate of approximately 450 per month The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and the early success is demonstrating just how valuable this will become over time. HeliHub.com plans to utilise... Read more
29-Mar-2011Source: FAA
One of the FAA’s top priorities is to reduce the number of fatal accidents in general aviation, just as we have worked to reduce fatal accidents in commercial aviation. Similar to commercial aviation, the FAA is focused on reducing general aviation accidents by using a non-regulatory, proactive strategy to get results. Our goal is to... Read more
28-Mar-2011Source: Office of Inspector General
On March 21, 2011, we issued a letter to Representative Jerry F. Costello, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Aviation, to convey the results of our review regarding challenges in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) oversight of on-demand aircraft operators. We conducted this review to follow up on our... Read more
25-Mar-2011Source: CBC
Canada’s Transportation Minister Chuck Strahl said his officials are reviewing last month’s report from the Transportation Safety Board on its investigation into the crash and said his department would respond to the board by May 7.... Read more
22-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
According to the Naval Safety Center, the sergeant died after he was pinned under a CH-53E helicopter after the landing gear collapsed when the landing gear pin was pulled. HeliHub.com adds a separate page for every reported incident, including details of the particular helicopter and links to online reports of the event. see 17-Mar-11 Sikorsky... Read more
22-Mar-2011Source: HAI
Major helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) associations have committed to “create the safest system possible for patients and the public†by adopting the data-driven safety recommendations of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST). They called on all HEMS operators to join their efforts. “The leading helicopter operators in our industry have made significant investments in... Read more
20-Mar-2011Source: FAA
SAIB: SW-11-24 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory. Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is to inform owners and operators of rotorcraft equipped with Garmin 400/500 series GPS Navigation Systems, with the activated function of Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) designed for use in fixed wing airplanes. There is an airworthiness concern regarding... Read more
20-Mar-2011Source: Royal Air Force
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in conjunction with industry partners, today showcased the development of world leading technology designed to help helicopter pilots land more safely and efficiently in Afghanistan. Scientists from Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), have led the technical development of a pioneering approach to the problem of... Read more
18-Mar-2011Source: ATSB
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... Read more
17-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
One of two Experimental A600N Talon helicopters registered to manufacturer Rotorway International has had an accident. The FAA preliminary report indicates that the pilot noticed a jolt while in cruise flight, but the ensuing autorotation ended up with the helicopter on its side. N602RW is registered with an Experimental airworthiness certificate, with the category listed... Read more
16-Mar-2011Source: HAI
General aviation flights account for the highest number of helicopter accidents in the U.S. Striving to lower the rate of those accidents, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) and HAI have joined forces to provide safety seminars tailored for general aviation helicopter instructors and pilots. The next is scheduled for Portland, Ore. on the evening of... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: Omniflight
Building on its commitment to safety and quality, Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, has completed Level 1 of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Safety Management System (SMS) program and has now started on Level 2. Omniflight announced its achievement today, calling its SMS participation a natural extension of its “true safety-first... Read more
15-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A US Marine Corps Bell UH-1N has today made an emergency landing in a field at Jacksonville, US-North Carolina after experiencing a mid-air port engine fire. Based at the nearby Marine Corps Air Station New River, the photos of the UH-1N where it landed show significant scorch marks The six crew on board all exited... Read more
13-Mar-2011Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a Safety Alert to warn pilots of low-flying aircraft about the dangers associated with unmarked towers built to record weather observations. The Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs), many of which fall just below the 200-foot Federal Aviation Administration threshold for obstruction markings, can be difficult to see from the... Read more
12-Mar-2011Source: The Australian
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority is probing complaints claiming he broke a multitude of safety rules during filming of Network Ten’s 15-episode program – including using a helicopter to pull a skier along the water... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board, Angel Flight, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will hold a volunteer pilot safety stand down seminar at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia on March 25, 2011. Below is the seminar’s agenda: Keynote Address: Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, National Transportation Safety Board 9:00-9:30 am. Sessions: NTSB · Four... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Winnipeg police made a quick arrest after someone directed a laser beam at their helicopter. The EC120 was flying over a downtown neighbourhood when it was targetted by a laser pointer. Officers quickly pinpointed the house where they believed the beam was coming from and made an arrest. The man was later released, but only... Read more
11-Mar-2011Source: Knox News
The suit alleges the failure of the FADEC system in an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter was a direct and proximate cause of two deaths when it crashed near Mosul, Iraq in February 2010. HeliHub.com accident page – 21-Feb-10 Bell OH-58D at Qayyarah Airfield West, Northern Iraq (2F)... Read more
11-Mar-2011
Department of Labor Administrative Law Judge William Dorsey ruled in favor of helicopter mechanic Mark Van who was fired by Portneuf Medical Center (an Idaho hospital) for repeatedly raising concerns about violations of FAA safety standards in their helicopter air ambulance program.... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Schweizer 269C-1, G-CEAW on 22 May 2010 at Liverpool Airport, Merseyside Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Correction on 22 September 2009 at East bank of River Wyre, near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more
10-Mar-2011Source: AAMS
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is proud to announce a strong renewed commitment to the safety goals of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST). Launched in 2005, this worldwide effort led by the IHST has been centered on uncovering the means to drive down the universal helicopter accident rate. The objective is to... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: Magellan Aerospace
Magellan Aerospace announced today a new agreement with Bell Helicopter for a Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS®) kit development. The helicopter to be fitted with WSPS will be the Bell UH-1Y. The design and production of the WSPS will be carried out at Magellan’s Bristol Aerospace operating division in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for delivery of the prototype kits in... Read more
9-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A Sikorsky S76 operated by Rotorcraft Leasing made a wheels up landing last Saturday at Capt G Allan Hancock Field (akak KSMX Santa Maria Public Airport). HeliHub.com adds a separate page for every reported incident, including details of the particular helicopter and links to online reports of the event. see05-Mar-11 N5402T Sikorsky S76 Santa Maria,... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In a somewhat bizarre accident, Westland Wasp G-BZPP was written off Saturday at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in the UK. The helicopter was hovering at low level when it was hit from behind by a taxying fixed wing Starduster aircraft. It was one of the very last airworthy Wasps remaining in the world HeliHub.com... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com is to add a new “LINKS” section to our website. Never known to do things by halves – we already bring more stories and incident reports to the global helicopter industries than any other website – you can be sure that our LINKS section will be second to none. Information on how to get... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HAI
PHI Chief Pilot Mike Hurst, one of this year’s “Salute to Excellence” award winners, is the featured speaker at the HAI Safety Symposium this morning at HELI-EXPO 2011 in Orlando, Fla. You can watch Mike’s presentation live on Just Culture starting at 8:00 a.m. (EasternST) Check back here for updates on live Webcasts of other HELI-EXPO 2011 programs,... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: SRT Helicopters
SRT Helicopters, a leading training organization specializing in disaster relief operations and planning for military, law enforcement and public services agencies in the U.S. and around the world, recently completed a successful year-long disaster response training program at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif. With SRT’s help, Good Samaritan Hospital, recognized by Healthgrades, Inc.,... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: SkyBooks
SkyBOOKS, Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and affiliate of Bell Helicopter, has issued Release 4.4.2.4 of its Electronic Record Keeping Program. This release focuses on alleviating the stress of Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance by directing maintainer and operator attention to newly issued AD. “Just like any aviation system, SkyBOOKS wanted to provide our... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: Sandel Avionics
Sandel Avionics has introduced a revolutionary adaptive wire-strike avoidance feature called WireWatch, which will be implemented through the company’s advanced ST3400H HeliTAWS terrain avoidance system. Comprising a detailed database and a proactive alerting capability, WireWatch further enhances the operational safety that the TSO’d HeliTAWS brings to the cockpit by helping helicopter pilots avoid transmission lines... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
An extensive search involving helicopters from Broward County Sheriff, Palm Beach County and Miami Dade Fire Dept, along with airboats too, were launched to locate a Robinson R44 which was overdue on Saturday morning on a flight from Orlando to Tamiami in Florida. The helicopter, a 2008 model owned by Bravo Helicopters of Miami (http://www.flybravohelicopters.com),... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A Eurocopter Ec135 of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Airborne Response Team “D-HART” made a precautionary landing at the busy Boston Logan Airport today after the pilot reported difficulties with one engine. Airline operations were not affected in the way that Britain’s London City Airport came to a standstill yesterday after a similar emergency. It was on its... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A group of three helicopters, believed to all be R44s, were touring together and stopped for fuel at Forestville Airport in Canada. One experienced significant loss of power not long after take-off and it turned out that all three were wrongly fuelled with Jet fuel instead of AvGas. HeliHub.com adds a separate page for every... Read more
4-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Information is still coming in on an accident involving a French military Eurocopter AS532 Cougar helicopter. Shortly after take-off, a crew member noticed the door was not correctly closed and went to adjust it. In the process of this manouevre, he was sucked out of the aircraft. A second crew member went to help and... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics, a leading provider of Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)/Emergency Radios, is pleased to announce that the Polish Ministry of Heath has chosen the MR510 Personal Locator Beacon/Emergency Radio, with embedded GPS receiver technology for their EC135 air medical helicopter fleet. The Polish Ministry of Health air medical helicopter fleet provides high-quality HEMS service to... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: TurnTo23.com
US Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment today charging Jeffrey Lee Gentry, 33, of Bakersfield, with interfering with the safe operation of a Kern County Sheriff’s Department helicopter by shining a hand-held laser into the cockpit.... Read more
3-Mar-2011Source: Sextant Readings
Safety Management Systems (SMS) are becoming increasingly widespread throughout the world’s helicopter, HEMS and helicopter maintenance sector as a result of ICAO mandating that all member states require a State Safety Program (SSP). Our Q-Pulse solution is the information foundation to meet or exceed the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) SMS Toolkit attributes guidance. Q-Pulse... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: NEMSPA
The National EMS Pilots Association – NEMSPA – is proud to be a part of Heli-Expo 2011, Helicopter Association International’s annual trade show of All Things Helicopter in Orlando Florida, March 5-8. Visit us in the Orange County Convention Center at Booth #5711. NEMSPA has collaborated with two of industry’s premier safety organizations to showcase... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: Eurosafety
Eurosafety is pleased to announce the release of their latest IPhone application, Risafety. This app is ESI’s latest effort in their goal to improve airframe knowledge and safety in the helicopter community. The iSafety App is designed to provide a method to review caution panel emergency procedures for the R22 and R44 Helicopters. This training... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: CHC
The CHC Safety and Quality Summit is approaching fast and courses are filling up. A limited number of seats are have been made available for the 2 Day Accident/Incident Investigation Analysis Course (March 31-April 1). Additionally, due to the popularity of this course, it will be repeated April 2-3 and a few seats are available in that... Read more
2-Mar-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A Bell 206B JetRanger of Upper Limit Aviation has crashed at Bolinder Field – Tooele Valley Airport. The helicopter was on a training flight and suffered a very heavy landing. Both occupants were reportedly trapped in the helicopter, which ended up on its starboard side and with the boom separated from the airframe. HeliHub.com adds... Read more
27-Feb-2011Source: KPHO
On Friday morning, news helicopter crews were all chasing breaking news when someone from the ground shined a laser in their direct line of sight.... Read more
27-Feb-2011Source: Moderate Voice
A documentary by British filmmaker Vaughan Smith on this subject has recently been broadcast on Al Jazeera television’s “People and Power” series.... Read more
25-Feb-2011Source: HAI
The annual HAI Operator Safety Award recognizes the safe operation of helicopters by HAI Regular Members. To be eligible for consideration for the current award, operators must not have had an accident during 2010. HAI presents first-time recipients with an engraved commemorative plaque and year-date medallion. For following accident-free years, Members will receive year-date medallions... Read more
22-Feb-2011Source: HAI
The FAA Safety Team (FAAST) has eight regional teams that run regular local events to update pilots, mechanics and small operators on particular hazards to safe general aviation flying. Those teams, which have earned a reputation for conducting highly useful briefings for fixed-wing fliers, are focusing on developing the same strength for the helicopter community.... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: CHC
A fast-paced debate between three keynote speakers is sure to be among the highlights of the fast approaching CHC Safety & Quality Summit. Held March 28 – 30, 2011 at the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, the CHC Safety & Quality Summit will feature approximately 70 sessions examining this year’s theme,... Read more
21-Feb-2011Source: Edmonton Journal
The helicopter crew narrowed the source of the light to a city home where police confiscated a laser pointer from a 10-year-old boy. His parents were home, but hadn’t realized what their son was up to.... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: Long Beach Post
A 34-year old Long Beach woman has been arrested for pointing lasers at Police and Sheriff helicopters while they conducted a search for suspects in an unrelated incident in January. Kelly Ann Smith has been charged with two felony counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft.... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: CHC
The CHC Safety & Quality Summit General Sessions are now available for registration. To Click here to view the Agenda and Course descriptions. Course descriptions will be updated as more information becomes available. Some sessions are offered in multiple time slots to make scheduling as flexible as possible. You can modify your choices at any... Read more
16-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Mil Mi-28 Night Hunter has been grounded following a fatal crash yesterday – see HeliHub.com safety report at 15-Feb-11 Mil Mi-28N Budyonnovsk, Russia (1F). A Russian Ministry of Defense spokesman said the crash of the Mil Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopter occurred Tuesday in the Budyennovsk district of the Stavropol region. Reports vary on... Read more
13-Feb-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- AS355F1 Ecureuil II, G-BPRI atAbridge, Essex on 23 October 2010 Sikorsky S-92A, G-SARC at Isle of Harris on 9 July 2010 Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS at Goodwood on 28 September 2010... Read more
12-Feb-2011Source: Vancouver Sun
Offshore oil companies are grounding helicopter flights over rough seas off Newfoundland as recommended by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: Record Searchlight
Kevin Wayne Foster was ordered to stand trial on two felony and two misdemeanor counts stemming from the potentially dangerous Dec. 6 helicopter incident. If convicted, Foster faces about 4 years 8 months in prison, said Shasta County Deputy District Attorney Craig Omura.... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: CHC
With the 2011 CHC Safety & Quality Summit only two months away, organizers are pleased to recognize the sponsors supporting the aviation safety conference aimed at improving safety in aviation globally. A non-profit aviation safety conference held March 28 – 30, 2011 at the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, the CHC... Read more
11-Feb-2011Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board has established a Twitter account and a YouTube channel as the Safety Board broadens its communication efforts by moving into social media. The handle for the Twitter account is “ntsb” (www.twitter.com/ntsb). The YouTube channel is “ntsbgov” (http://www.youtube.com/ntsbgov). “Transparency and open government are key components of NTSB’s agenda to improve transportation... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: HAI
from the president of HAI, Matt Zucarro Bring up the topic of “Aviation Security†and my response is “Are you trying to ruin my day or what?†I remember all too well the events of 9/11/2001, considering I was just departing my home for a meeting near Manhattan when the first plane struck, and years... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Los Angeles Police say that a 14-year-old boy is in custody, accused of pointing a green laser at both a police helicopter and a plane headed to LAX – Los Angeles International Airport. Sgt. Mike Richardson told the media that the boy was booked Tuesday night on suspicion of pointing a laser at the pilot,... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: TSB
Pushing a series of four key reforms to improve helicopter safety, the Transportation Safety Board today released its final report into the fatal 2009 crash of Cougar Flight 91 off the coast of Newfoundland. “We want the legacy of this accident to be a safer system for all those who fly over water,” said Board... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: CTV
The Transportation Safety Board says there were 16 factors that contributed to the crash that caused the death of 17 people in an offshore helicopter crash off Newfoundland two years ago.... Read more
10-Feb-2011Source: CHC
The 2011 CHC Safety & Quality Summit is now accepting applications for the Dr. Peter Gardiner Aviation Student Grant. The grant is open to full-time aviation students in Canada and the United States interested in attending the aviation safety conference March 28-30, 2011, and the two-day Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) course March... Read more
9-Feb-2011Source: Magellan Aerospace
Magellan Aerospace announced today an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore, India for a new Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS®). The agreement includes the design and development of a WSPS for the HAL Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), which will be carried out at Magellan’s Bristol Aerospace division in Winnipeg in 2011. Bristol is the global expert for this... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Transportation Safety Board (“TSB”) of Canada has announced that it will be holding a press conference for the media on Wednesday to publically release the final TSB investigation report (reference id A09A0016) into the crash of a Cougar Helicopters Sikorsky S-92A off the coast of Newfoundland on March 12, 2009. Members of the panel... Read more
8-Feb-2011Source: HazardEx
Duncan Trapp brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge and a proven track record for introducing new initiatives and technologies to increase safety performance across the CHC fleet having previously held the position of safety and regulatory manager since 2007.... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Independent Online
This was made known by the Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters, Capt Akin Oni, briefing journalists on efforts at repositioning the company and the aviation safety conference tagged, “Target Zero,†in Lagos recently.... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: The Edwards Law Firm
Most would think government aircraft are some of the safest in the country. As it turns out, this is likely not the case. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates airlines, lacks the authority to regulate the safety of aircraft operated by state and local governments or other... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Winnipeg Free Press
Two widows whose husbands were killed in a British Columbia helicopter crash have won a court fight to add Transport Canada to the list of people and groups they claim are liable. The accident occurred 17-Sep-05... Read more
6-Feb-2011Source: Stars & Stripes
A buoy typically used for underwater surveillance fell from a Navy SH-60F Seahawk helicopter and crashed into a farm field... Read more
