18-Feb-2013
Ted McBride, 74, died after contact with a power line during agricultural operations... Read more
18-Feb-2013
Emergency shutdown on rig after overheating indication, which later turned out to be false... Read more
17-Feb-2013
Crop spraying helicopter hit powerlines and crashed.... Read more
16-Feb-2013
Helicopter was powered-up but still on the ground, when the engineer reached in through the open door and hit a lever, causing it to take off to a few feet altitude and then crash onto its side away from the engineer. A second person was present, but it is unclear from the press report whether they... Read more
15-Feb-2013
Emergency landing after mechanical issues... Read more
15-Feb-2013Source: Step Change In Safety
The Helicopter Safety Steering Group has published its findings, following a visit to Eurocopter’s manufacturing and test facility in Marignane, France on 6 February. The group has published a fact sheet which can be easily downloaded, shared, printed off or forwarded as necessary. The fact sheet documents details of the site visit and the latest... Read more
15-Feb-2013Source: HAI
From February 11-13, the American Helicopter Society (AHS) Redstone Chapter, with sponsorship from HAI, hosted a Technical Specialists’ Meeting on Airworthiness, Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), and Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. HAI staffers Ed DiCampli, Harold Summers, and others from the HAI HUMS research team were instrumental in... Read more
15-Feb-2013
Severe damage to rotor blades and skid after being hit by a truck while parked on is base helipad at Fresach/Freizeitpark Millstättersee Heliport, Austria. All four rotorblades including the rotorhead had to be changed, causing a total damage of 600.000 €... Read more
15-Feb-2013
Five POB – pilot and four tourists, including two from Ukraine. No injuries... Read more
15-Feb-2013
Ground vehicle skidded on ice and ran into parked helicopter, causing significant damage. CADAORS ref 2013Q0397... Read more
14-Feb-2013Source: Med-Trans
We are pleased to announce that David Carr has accepted the position of Safety Director for Med-Trans Corporation (MTC), beginning his position Feb. 14th. Mr. Carr is a proven safety professional and leader in the aviation industry, having earned numerous safety-related awards and certifications. Prior to joining the Med-Trans Leadership team, Mr. Carr served as... Read more
14-Feb-2013Source: IHST
The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), along with safety experts from throughout the civil helicopter industry, has developed new safety leaflets focused on entry into fog or cloud conditions, instructional safety, and recurrent training. The IHST now offers a total of ten new safety leaflets aimed at enhancing helicopter operations and reducing accidents. The safety... Read more
14-Feb-2013Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R22 Beta (G-CHZN), in-flight separation of main rotor blades, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, 6 January 2012 Sikorsky S-76C (G-CGOU), precautionary landing following smell of smoke in flight, 19 nm east-north-east of Humberside Airport, 26 September 2012... Read more
14-Feb-2013
EMS EC145 clipped crane on hospital it was operating out of... Read more
14-Feb-2013
Four injured in emergency landing in a garden. Pilot Eduardo Augusto Ospina was flying three military personnel – mobile brigade commander 29, Colonel Carlos Salamanca; Corporal Hector Fabio Sogamoso, and professional soldier Jaider Cardenas Posso.... Read more
14-Feb-2013
Substantially damaged after tail rotor failure... Read more
12-Feb-2013
Autorotation landing from 1000ft, main blades cut tail boom. Corporate operation. MD600 remained upright and all six got out with some injuries. Six were identified as Tahmina Mostofa, 24, Asif Iqbal, 45, Kazi Safayet Hossain, 45, Abul Kalam, and pilots Gulzar Hossain, 42, and Shafiqul Islam, 35.... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: Tdata
Tdata announces the addition of the Avantext® line of Airworthiness Directive libraries to Tdata’s line of products and services. Tdata and Avantext customers will now have more choices in the products they use for FAA Airworthiness publications. Tdata will continue to offer its popular IApproach™ Regulatory library in addition to the Avantext AD libraries so... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: HAI
I would be willing to bet money that after reading the average accident report, you ask yourself, “What were they thinking?” Not in a negative or derogatory manner, but in real puzzlement. How could the pilot, operator, or maintenance tech have made such poor choices — choices that resulted in their own deaths or those... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: PHPA
Topic: Jam Packed Helicopter SAFETY Workshop with National & Local Safety Items Addressed. (Held at Robinson Helo Facility) On Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 8:00 AM Location: Robinson Helicopter Company, 2901 Airport Dr., Torrance, CA 90505 Select Number: WP0548604 Description: HAI (Helicopter Association International), So Cal PHPA (Professional Helicopter Pilots Association), and FAAST (FAA Safety Team) invite you to a day... Read more
11-Feb-2013
Crashed into the sea on an EMS mission, killing all three on board – named as Captain Yashar Ahmadov, Senior Lieutenant Rustam Rustamov and Lieutenant Bahruz Zeynalov... Read more
11-Feb-2013
Substantially damaged in force landing – helicopter ended up on its side. Aerowest Helicopters operating for New Mexico Dept of of Game and Fish. All three occupants injured – one Game & Fish officer, one veterinarian and the helicopter pilot reported minor injuries.... Read more
10-Feb-2013
Three killed when a JetRanger went down at 3.42am on a reality TV shoot on a remote ranch. Helicopter had been supplied via Crossbow Helicopters, who act as brokers between film companies and helicopter operators. Photos posted of this 206 on Orbic Air’s website (example) in the last few weeks indicate that it carried their... Read more
10-Feb-2013
Helicopter destroyed per FAA data... Read more
9-Feb-2013
Private pilot injured in accident on take-off. Local language TV report at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDXhMP-fBrU... Read more
8-Feb-2013
Shattered windscreen from bird strike. Emergency field landing... Read more
7-Feb-2013Source: ARGUS International
Professional Resources In System Management, LLC (PRISM), is pleased to announce an update to their Safety Management System (SMS) packaging and pricing for helicopter operators. The PRISM Essential and Professional subscription packages provide the industry’s most comprehensive set of tools to assist aviation companies as they implement and manage an effective SMS program. PRISM’s new... Read more
7-Feb-2013
Firefighting helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Helicopter was contracted to Tasmania Fire Service... Read more
6-Feb-2013Source: Canadian military
The Flight Safety Investigative Report and Epilogue of the fatal air accident involving the Griffon helicopter CH146434 that occurred on July 6, 2009, near Kandahar Air Field, is now available on the Air Force Directorate of Flight Safety website. The Flight Safety Investigative Report describes factual data and includes a comprehensive analysis of all factors... Read more
6-Feb-2013
Reported lightning strike – shipped to Norway for repair by associated company HeliOne. Helicopter has not flown in the two months after 6th February, so while that date is not 100% confirmed, it would be very close if it is not correct.... Read more
6-Feb-2013
Heavy landing from 75ft after pilot reported loss of power, Port skid collapsed, tail rotor damaged. 3 POB, 1 to hospital, 2 refused.... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: Step Change in Safety
A delegation representing the Helicopter Safety Steering Group is to visit Eurocopter’s manufacturing and test facility at Marignane, France, following an invitation from the company. On Wednesday 6 February, the group will see first-hand the efforts Eurocopter are going to in order to determine the root cause of the failure which led to two helicopters... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: Wildfire Today
Two former employees of Carson Helicopters are facing 20+ years in prison for charges related to a 2008 S61 crash that killed seven firefighters and two crew members (see full story)... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to assist in the investigation of a Robinson R44 II helicopter that crashed about 80 miles north of Asuncion, Paraguay. Initial reports indicate that the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The investigation is being led by the Paraguay Civil Aviation Authority (CIPAA). The NTSB has... Read more
5-Feb-2013
Pilot chose to make precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather. Helicopter rolled over when landing on snowy surface... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: Yorkshire Post
A British helicopter instructor has been sentenced to six months jail for falsely signing off the training records of a student pilot to get him a pilot’s licence. The Judge said that it was impossible to say whether these actions were contributory to the “newly qualified” pilot and his wife losing their lives in their... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Low-level helicopter flying, engaged in doors-off ammunition-ready feral hog hunting has been a major factor in two helicopter accidents in the last seven days. Estimates vary between two and four million hogs across the US. These wild animals are responsible for significant damage to pastures, leading to losses on behalf of the land owners. This... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Presidential candidate Lino Oviedo, aged 69, died in an accident involving the Robinson R44 he was flying in on Saturday night. The accident also claimed the lives of his bodyguard Derlis Galeano, and the pilot, Ramón Aurelio Picco. Our safety data pages have more details at 02-Feb-13 ZP-HAH Robinson R44 Puerto Antequera, Paraguay (3F) Some... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: CHC
This year a mobile app has been developed which can be used on any smartphone or tablet. This app is designed to help you organize your time and make the most of what the summit has to offer. The app functions include: Your up-to-date personal schedule during the event Speaker details Background information on summit... Read more
3-Feb-2013Source: The Guardian, Nigeria
A professor and his research team at a UK university have developed options for minimising occurrences of loss of oil events during long hour flights by helicopters and solutions to increase the capability of continued operation after loss of oil (see full story)... Read more
3-Feb-2013
Training accident. Two of three on board injured. CADAORS ref 2013Q0276... Read more
2-Feb-2013
Presidential candidate Lino Oviedo died in the accident along with his bodyguard Derlis Galeano, and the pilot, Ramón Aurelio Picco. The flight was scheduled for 7.15pm but did not take off until 9.00pm, despite objections from the pilot that the helicopter was not suitably equipped for night flight and that there was an approaching storm... Read more
1-Feb-2013
Helicopter crashed while hunting feral hogs at low level, ending up on its port side. Two persons were injured in the crash which happened about 2:45pm local... Read more
31-Jan-2013
Emergency landing – reportedly due to a hydraulic problem. HeliHub.com research queries whether registration was actually RA-31603... Read more
31-Jan-2013
Emergency landing after electrical malfunction... Read more
30-Jan-2013
“In the evening of January 27, 2013 Gemini was alerted of an overdue helicopter with a last known location approximately 77 kilometers southwest of Fox Creek. ” (see full story) File photo... Read more
30-Jan-2013Source: HAI
HAI’s Director of Safety Stan Rose and Vice President of Government Affairs Ann Carroll attended the Helicopter Safety Advisory Council (HSAC) meeting in New Orleans, La., from Jan. 23-24. Rose and Carroll participated in a number of discussions with HSAC’s board, as well as with the FAA regarding offshore ADS-B issues.... Read more
30-Jan-2013
Helicopter blown onto its side by high winds... Read more
29-Jan-2013
Precautionary landing in park after oil pressure warning... Read more
28-Jan-2013Source: IHST
Many helicopter accidents involve pilots who allow themselves to be influenced by one or more of five basic hazardous attitudes. These attitudes get pilots into trouble by causing them to take chances that invite accidents. As a pilot, the less often you allow yourself to act upon a hazardous attitude, the safer your flying will... Read more
28-Jan-2013
Survey helicopter overdue. Weather may have been an issue as a Canadian military Bell 412 involved in the search had to return to base due to weather. CADAORS 2013C0386... Read more
28-Jan-2013
Emergency landing after fuel indication dropped to zero with rotor speed warning. Apparent wiring issue... Read more
27-Jan-2013Source: San Francisco Chronicle
A Sikes man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for shooting at a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter during a drug surveillance operation. (see full story)... Read more
27-Jan-2013Source: ATSB
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... Read more
26-Jan-2013
Apparent engine failure on a flight to shoot feral hogs. Pilot William Harward and his two passengers, Massad Ayoob and Jonathan Strayer, were treated at Raulerson Memorial Hospital in Okeechobee and released... Read more
26-Jan-2013
When on finals, pilot noticed master caution light illuminated, and an indication of low oil pressure in engine No.2. Shut down immediately, got out and noticed fire from the exhaust – used extinguisher to quell the fire but was not fully successful. N2 turbine had got jammed.... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Under an SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program sponsorship project, TII (Technology International Inc) has released details of a new device to fire low-frequency sound at flocks of birds to steer them away from a given location. Clearly there are significant uses for this around airports, heliports, helipads and aircraft carriers. Traditionally, bird scare systems... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: HAI
On Thursday, February 7, 2013, join HAI, the FAASTeam, and a diverse panel of industry experts in Minneapolis, Minn., as they discuss regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, and more. There will be a free BBQ lunch for all attendees; you can obtain the latest safety materials, earn WINGS... Read more
25-Jan-2013
Emergency landing at night on snow after overheating. Stayed a while and returned to base in Zagreb. Serial 228 to be confirmed (may possibly be 226). Aircraft type is Mi-171Sh and not Mi-8 per the press reports.... Read more
25-Jan-2013
Helicopter came down after hitting powerlines. Pilot Francois Liebenberg and his two passengers were all taken to hospital with injuries. Close up video tour of wreckage here on YouTube... Read more
24-Jan-2013Source: Mountain Scene
Louisa Patterson, owner of NZ operator Over the Top, is at loggerheads with the NZ Civil Aviation Authority, maintaining it was just an “incident” based on CAA’s own guidelines. “As an incident, this will not affect the safety record that Over The Top are so proud of”, she says (see full story)... Read more
24-Jan-2013
Precautionary landing on sports pitch. probably weather related... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: AAIB
Report name: S1/2013 – Agusta A109E, G-CRST Registration: G-CRST Type: Agusta A109E Location: St George Wharf, Vauxhall, London Date of occurrence: 16 January 2013 Category: Commercial Air Transport – Rotorcraft Summary: The helicopter was flying to the east of Battersea Heliport when it struck the jib of a crane, attached to a building development at... Read more
23-Jan-2013
Avionics problem and pilot returned to his departure point at Dudinka. Aircraft was operating a regular flight number 9356 on route Dudinka – Ust-Awam – n Volochanka. No injuries to 3 crew and 12 passengers... Read more
22-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com
At least 40 employees of the 061 – the Spanish public health emergency organisation – staged a protest in Granada last week at the opening of four disciplinary cases. Two EMS workers, a doctor and a health and safety representative are central to the situation which concerns “safety deficiencies” in the operation of the helicopter... Read more
22-Jan-2013
Helicopter was flying up a valley and suddenly lost altitude due to a suspected downdraft. the helicopter hit the ground and rolled 6 times, breaking off the tail... Read more
22-Jan-2013
Emergency landing in residential area. Skids collapsed, pilot walked away. Pilot was flying from Chandler to Falcon Field in Mesa. Plenty of photos of the helicopter in happier times on this page... Read more
21-Jan-2013
Crashed and hit house killing one of four on board... Read more
21-Jan-2013
Helicopter experienced unusual vibrations while flying at 4500ft. Pilot decided to make a precautionary landing but the tail struck the ground during landing and helicopter rolled over.... Read more
20-Jan-2013Source: Step Change in Safety
Helicopter operators are maintaining readiness for the return to service of EC225s. An element of this are short maintenance flights over land. The 20-minute flights will take place without passengers and are intended to keep the aircraft within their maintenance certification, meaning they won’t have to be placed for long periods in storage. As these... Read more
19-Jan-2013
During the final approach, the pilot conducted a missed approach. The pilot subsequently lost control and the helicopter collided with the ground.... Read more
19-Jan-2013
During low-level aerial filming operations, the helicopter rotated quickly to the right and descended. The pilot made an emergency landing on the sloping terrain. The helicopter rolled over and was subtantially damaged with minor injuries to the occupants.... Read more
18-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter
For the past weeks, Eurocopter has continued to regularly communicate with oil and gas customers/operators and industry representatives concerning the EC225 main gearbox shaft failures, while respecting the confidentiality of the official accident investigation. The company has provided an overview of its approach to the root cause analysis performed during the past several weeks and... Read more
