HAI Stresses Safety and AMT Numbers at ATEC
Source: HAI, 18-Apr-13
This week, Stan Rose, HAI’s director of safety outreach programs, represented HAI at the 53rd annual conference of the Aviation Technical Education Council (ATEC) in Orlando, Fla. HAI is committed to working with this group to address the issues of a shortage of qualified maintenance personnel, including professional development in ab-initio training and in curriculum [...]
18-Apr-13 N495AE Bell 407 Waco, US-Texas
18-Apr-13
Bird strike, windscreen broken, landed without further incident, no injuries
18-Apr-13 N137HN Eurocopter EC130B4 Huntington, US-West Virginia
18-Apr-13
Laser strike in cruise with patient on board. No detrimental effect to mission or crew on board
Metro Aviation Enters Level III status in FAA’s SMS Pilot Project
Source: Metro Aviation, 17-Apr-13
For safety to exist, it must be a way of life.” Those words are familiar in the Metro Aviation family and reiterated in a new safety video featuring Metro’s CEO Mike Stanberry. The video speaks directly to employees and customers and reaffirms Metro’s commitment to sustaining an active Safety Management System (SMS). The incorporation of [...]
16-Apr-13 N911CH Eurocopter BK117B1 Cumberland, US-Maine
16-Apr-13
Emergency field landing, no apprarent damage
16-Apr-13 Sikorsky CH-53E Chelwon, Korea
16-Apr-13
US military aircraft during ongoing South Korea-US joint military exercises. All occupants safe – reports currently vary between 12 and 21 occupants. Aircraft completely destroyed in impact before fire set in.
16-Apr-13 Mahikeng, South Africa
16-Apr-13
Helicopter crashed into water. only tail visible. Early reports only – one of which says it is a fixed-wing. Will update later
15-Apr-13 N408GA Bell 407 New River, US-Arizona
15-Apr-13
We have a recent report in of an emergency landing at 10.28pm of an EMS helicopter near the junction of New River and Cross Mountain roads in New River, Arizona – northern outskirts of Phoenix. Air Methods operating for “Guardian Air”
15-Apr-13 N262MH Eurocopter EC145 Highland Heights, US-Ohio
15-Apr-13
Precautionary landing and maintenance team called out after unexpected torque split
13-Apr-13 C-FCTD Bell 206L1 Cambell River, Canada (1F)
13-Apr-13
1 fatality of 6 on board after helicopter crashed into the Homathco River on a fly-fishing charter. The fatality was named in this report as Michael Monson. CADAORS 2013P0449
12-Apr-12 N442FG Robinson R44 II Ocean Shores, US-Washington
12-Apr-13
76 year old pilot and his 51 year old passenger not injured in accident, which left helicopter on its side
12-Apr-13 G-HBOB Eurocopter EC135T2+ Sunningdale, UK
12-Apr-13
Aircraft grounded after problem involving netting across an astroturf sports field at a school. Needed engineer before it could fly, stayed overnight and departed next morning.
12-Apr-13 N909SH Eurocopter EC145 Sioux Falls, US-South Dakota
12-Apr-13
Precautionary landing after left transmission oil indication below normal limits. Later traced to faulty transmission oil pressure transmitter
New Zealand proposes AD to force R44 bladder tank issue
Source: NZ CAA, 11-Apr-13
The CAA proposes the following new Airworthiness Directive requiring the replacement of aluminium fuel tanks on Robinson R44 series aircraft with new bladder-type tanks of improved resistance to post-accident rupture. The AD is prompted by reports of three Robinson R44 accidents in Australia involving fuel tank ruptures and fires. These accidents resulted in the loss [...]
UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2013
Source: AAIB, 11-Apr-13
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Hiller UH-12 B (N38763), tail struck ground during landing, Elstree Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 4 August 2012
11-Apr-13 G-EROM Robinson R22B Redhill, UK
11-Apr-13
Substantially damaged – solo student training flight
10-Apr-13 ZK-HTQ Robinson R22 Tarras, New Zealand
10-Apr-13
Helicopter was left unattended with the engine running. The helicopter became airborne, spun around, and struck the ground.
Bell Drives Industry Focus on Safety Through New Safety Symposiums
Source: Bell, 09-Apr-13
A new initiative for Bell Helicopter in 2013, the safety symposium educates maintainers and operators on key safety practices and applications to implement into their daily operations. The effort is tied in part to Bell Helicopter’s participation in the International Helicopter Safety Team’s mission to achieve an 80 percent reduction in the rate of international [...]
09-Apr-12 Boeing AH-64 Pechigram district, Afghanistan (2F)
09-Apr-13
Two US soldiers killed in helicopter crash. A press release from the Pennsylvania National Guard named the pair as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Ruffner, 34, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jarett Yoder, 27.
09-Apr-13 C-GZBA Eurocopter AS350B3e Tenquille Lake, Canada
09-Apr-13
Blade strike on landing after snow blew up around helicopter on approach
09-Apr-13 ZK-HLY Robinson R44 Christchurch, New Zealand
09-Apr-13
Moved on its pad while the pilot was conducting checks after engine start, with the tail rotor striking and rupturing a container of AVGAS.
FAA Extends Tower Closure Date
Source: FAA, 08-Apr-13
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it will delay the closures of all 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15. Last month, the FAA announced it would eliminate funding for these towers as part of the agency’s required $637 million budget cuts under sequestration. This additional [...]
Oil support Mi-8 down in Peru – 13 fatalities
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Apr-13
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
07-Apr-13 OB-1916P Mil-8 Loreto, Peru (13F)
07-Apr-13
Incident summary – Oil exploration support helicopter went down, killing all on board. Initial reports vary between 13 and 14 fatalities after initial reports of 9. Some local news sources are saying it exploded in the air, 10 minutes from its destination. The helicopter was supporting work by Perenco Peru, who issued a statement saying that apart from [...]
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 [...]
No criminal proceedings for April 2009 Bond AS332L2 accident
Source: Scottish Crown Office, 05-Apr-13
On 1 April 2009 Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL crashed into the North Sea resulting in the deaths of all 16 men on board. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The [...]
05-Apr-12 Eurocopter BK117 Parsdorf, Germany
05-Apr-13
“Christoph 1″ helicopter cut telephone line on approach to site landing to pick up patient injured in equine accident
05-Apr-13 Bell UH-1 Balauana, Tunisia
05-Apr-13
2 of 5 on board injured in heavy landing while on post-maintenance test flight
05-Apr-13 N520PA Hughes 500D Lihue, US-Hawaii
05-Apr-13
Found damage to trailing edge of rotor blade(s) on post-flight inspection
Bravo Helicopters owner dies in R44 accident
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Apr-13
Miami-Dade Police have today issued a statement naming Mark Palmieri, aged 53, as the deceased pilot of the R44 which came down in a fatal crash close to Tamiami Airport yesterday. Palmieri was the owner of Bravo Helicopters, which was based at the airport. There is no indication at this time as to the cause [...]
Step Change in Safety report highlights offshore safety achievements
Source: Step Change, 04-Apr-13
Step Change in Safety has published its 2013 Annual Update report and has called on the UK oil and gas industry to continue its focus on improving safety performance. The report reviews the organisation’s achievements over the last year and identifies where it will focus its attention in future. Highlights include: The launch of the Workforce Engagement Toolkit – [...]
03-Apr-13 N3101H Robinson R44 Tamiami, US-Florida (2F)
03-Apr-13
Crashed into a parking lot two miles after take-off, killing both occupants. Non-aviation witnesses report an explosion before the helicopter reached the ground. Post crash fire. The deceased were later named by Miami Dade Police as pilot Mark Palmieri and passenger Ross Allen. One report states it was a post-maintenance test flight
03-Apr-13 Robinson R44 Nylstroom, South Africa (1F)
03-Apr-13
Unknown circumstances. Wreck found next morning after failing to arrive at intended destination
03-Apr-13 ZK-IBK Eurocopter BK117 Wellington, New Zealand
03-Apr-13
Main rotor blades struck tail boom while running up on roof-top helipad. Incident blamed on freak wind gust
Japanese STC for AW139 firefighting belly tank system
Source: Simplex Aerospace, 02-Apr-13
The new Simplex Fire Attack system has a 480 gallon (1,817 liter) water capacity, and is the lightest belly tank system per gallon of capacity on the market today. The system also has an approved maximum speed of 150 KIAS without the hover pump installed (140 KIAS with hover pump installed),making it the fastest helicopter [...]
02-Apr-13 N369HW Hughes OH-6A Conner, US-Montana
02-Apr-13
Helicopter ended up with tail boom severed by main rotors – which were themselves removed by the accident. Left skid completely deformed. All 4 occupants suffered minor injuries
01-Apr-13 FAC-4105 Sikorsky UH-60L Tabacal, Colombia
01-Apr-13
Precautionary landing due to engine problem en route Bucaramanga to Yopal
01-Apr-13 N584PM Schweizer 333SP San Antonio, US-Texas
01-Apr-13
Precautionary landing in parking lot on night mission after warning light illuminated
30-Mar-13 N911AA Eurocopter AS350B3 Talkeetna, US-Alaska (3F)
30-Mar-13
Two Alaska State Troopers and a rescued snowmobiler died in the crash. A press release later named them as Alaska State Trooper pilot Mel Nading, Trooper Tage Toll of Talkeetna, and Carl Ober, the 56-year-old injured snowmachiner from Talkeetna
30-Mar-13 N770CQ Robinson R44 Halledale, US-Florida
30-Mar-13
Precautionary landing – no further details known
30-Mar-13 F-HJTE Eurocopter AS350B3 Concorezzo, Italy
30-Mar-13
Substantially damaged in landing accident. Sole occupant pilot not injured
29-Mar-13 AgustaWestland A109LUH Kruger, South Africa (5F)
29-Mar-13
Helicopter crashed during rhino poaching patrols. Al five POB killed – later named as Captain Jacobus Andries van Rensburg; Captain MP Chabalala; Sergeant Paulus Shongela Ndishishi; Sergeant GP Ruiters and Lance Corporal Bheki Petros Cele
29-Mar-13 C-FKCM Eurocopter BK117 Calgary, Canada
29-Mar-13
Helicopter landed to pick up a patient. While rotors were still turning, co pilot observed fuel leak and immediately told pilot to shut down helicopter and switch off electric. O-ring had failed in fuel line and was repaired on site.
28-Mar-13 HI-865 Robinson R44 Cotui, Dominican Republic
28-Mar-13
Pilot Franklin Holguín Sandoval smelt burning and made successful autorotation landing. Shortly after leaving the aircraft it was engulfed in flames and burnt out. Solo pilot was uninjured.
27-Mar-13 N918DK Enstrom F28F Twin Falls, US-Idaho
27-Mar-13
Lost power on climb out, landed heavily and fall onto port side. Owner/pilot Steven Wybenga, age 51, suffered slight injuries
27-Mar-13 PT-HUW Bell 412 Campos Basin, Brazil
27-Mar-13
Offshore operation for Petrobras, ditched in the sea, three POB got out OK
NZ Investigators comment on over-water flying
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Mar-13
Technically not “safety recommendations” but the latter part of the investigation report into the accident of Bell LongRanger ZK-ISF in January 2011 pulls no punches on what helicopter pilots should consider when flying over water. The pilot was not wearing a life jacket, and was in the water over two hours before being rescued. The [...]
Bristow Helicopters becomes member of Step Change in Safety
Source: Step Change In Safety, 26-Mar-13
It was announced today, Monday 25 March, that Bristow Helicopters has become a full member of Step Change In Safety. The role of Step Change in Safety has become even more important in recent months with its Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) playing a vital role in keeping the industry informed following two related controlled [...]
26-Mar-13 N910WC Hughes OH-6A Caddo, US-Texas (1F)
26-Mar-13
Landed in pond instead of the nearby field as intended after gusty wind conditions experienced. Pilot escaped, but passenger killed, both aged 75 according to press reports
26-Mar-13 C-FUIR Robinson R44 Grande Cache, Canada
26-Mar-13
Powerline patrol helicopter had accident involving trees. Pilot uninjured. CADAORS ref 2013C1124
26-Mar-13 RA-22986 Mil Mi-8MTV Kronotsky, Russia
26-Mar-13
Rolled over onto its side on landing. The helicopter carried three crewmembers and 3.2 tonnes of building materials.
26-Mar-13 9Y-TIC Eurocopter Bo105 Cedros, Trinidad & Tobago
26-Mar-13
Blade struck tree during forced landing while on police operations. Sole-occupant pilot not injured. Photo set here on C News Live page on Facebook
NBAA’s Bolen Responds to FAA Decision to Close ATC Towers
Source: NBAA, 25-Mar-13
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today released the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) decision to proceed with the closure of 149 contract air traffic control towers and other facilities across the United States, to comply with “sequestration,” or mandatory budget curtailments required of federal agencies: [...]
R44 in fatal NSW crash had not had bladder tank upgrade
Source: The Australian, 25-Mar-13
An R44 that burst into flames when it crashed south of Sydney, killing four people, was fitted with older-style fuel tanks known to pose a fire hazard (See Full Story).
24-Mar-13 N353DL Eurocopter AS350B3 Stevens Village, US-Alaska
24-Mar-13
On landing, pilot looked to ensure tail rotor clearance and inadvertently inputted cyclic. Helicopter rolled up on one skid and main rotor blades struck the ground. Helicopter was involved in load lifting operations
24-Mar-13 N571LF Eurocopter EC130 Atmore, US-Alabama
24-Mar-13
Door separated and struck rotors. FAA quotes this as N571LF which is incorrect as that is a fixed-wing registration [if it is an ..LF registration, then N209LF and N506LF are EC130s based in Alabama]
23-Mar-13 ZS-HSR Bell 206B Petermaritzburg, South Africa
23-Mar-13
Helicopter substantially damaged in emergency landing on road. Bridegroom Rishi Ramdeo, his parents Vijay and Danmathie and best man Robert Soogram were injured after their helicopter crashed outside the wedding venue. The pilot and the groom were reported in a critical condition and the other occupants were treated for mild to serious injuries.
23-Mar-13 Bell TH-57A Salinas, Ecuador
23-Mar-13
Training accident. Main rotors severed tail boom, aircraft ended upright on its skids
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 [...]
Super Puma AS332 L2 G-REDL Fatal Accident Inquiry announced
Source: Crown Office, 22-Mar-13
On 1 April 2009 Super Puma helicopter AS332 L2 G-REDL crashed into the North Sea resulting in the deaths of all 16 men on board. Having carefully considered all the circumstances of this incident, Crown Counsel have decided that there is insufficient evidence for a prosecution and as result no criminal proceedings are instructed. The [...]
21-Mar-13 VH-HWQ Robinson R44 Bulli Tops, Australia (4F)
21-Mar-13
Clipped tree(s) during landing phase and crashed killing all four on board. Helicopter operator Bankstown Helicopters confirmed that the aircraft had been hired by a private pilot
21-Mar-13 D-HEGB Eurocopter AS332L1 Berlin, Germany
21-Mar-13
Two helicopters collided in white-out conditions during a police exercise. An AS332L2 and a EC155 had landed and kicked up a lot of snow. The pilot of a second AS332 landing soon after then suffered white-out and landed too close to the EC155, killing the pilot. Three other injuries reported.
21-Mar-13 D-HLTM Eurocopter EC155 Berlin, Germany (1F)
21-Mar-13
Two helicopters collided in white-out conditions during a police exercise. An AS332L2 and a EC155 had landed and kicked up a lot of snow. The pilot of a second AS332 landing soon after then suffered white-out and landed too close to the EC155, killing the pilot. Three other injuries reported.
Eurocopter reports on third round of EC225 tests
Source: Eurocopter, 20-Mar-13
The third round of tests at Eurocopter – which focused on the bevel gear shaft – is complete. The investigation timetable is proceeding according to plan, with each step bringing us closer to the probable causes and solutions. The investigation results are currently being analyzed and will be reported by Eurocopter in accordance with the [...]
North Sea oil workers being put on slimming diets
Source: Decoded Science, 19-Mar-13
… reports about North Sea oil workers being put on slimming diets because their average weight over the last few years had increased so much (see full story)
19-Mar-13 N408RL Bell 206L4 Platform WD79C, US-Gulf of Mexico
19-Mar-13
Vertical fin contacted pipe on landing on offshore platform
19-Feb-13 N2099S Schweizer 300CBi Titusville, US-Florida
19-Mar-13
Heavy landing, deforming the skids, on the side of Highway US-1 after engine malfunction
UK AAIB issues EC225 investigation update
Source: AAIB, 18-Mar-13
This Special Bulletin contains information on the progress of the investigation into the emergency lubrication systems and the Crash Position Indicators (CPI) for the accidents to G-REDW on 10 May 2012 and to G-CHCN on 22 October 2012. This follows the publication of previous Special Bulletins S2/2012, S3/2012, S5/2012, S6/2012 and S7/2012. Download report: S2-2013 [...]
Maintenance cloth caused R44 accident in Sweden
Source: Nordic Rotors, 18-Mar-13
The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (Statens Haverikommission, SHK) has published its final report after an accident that occurred on 6 September 2011 in Ånn, close to Åre, involving a Norwegian helicopter with the registration LN-OAB. The aircraft, a Robinson R44 Astro, was taking off for a private flight with three people onboard when the engine [...]
16-Mar-13 Mil Mi-8 Khankala, Russia (3F)
16-Mar-13
Three killed out of four on board a Russian Border Guard Mi-8 which crashed in poor visibility. A criminal investigation has been opened.
