28-Apr-2011Source: CNN
“The Federal Aviation Administration is well aware that air traffic controllers have been falling asleep every week at each and every air traffic control facility in the nation for at least 30 years — and they still are.” reports CNN... Read more
26-Apr-2011Source: Domain-B
Under the spotlight, state-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL), has rubbished allegations made by the Arunachal Pradesh state government about the airworthiness of its fleet.... Read more
26-Apr-2011Source: Indian Press Information Bureau
The Government has appointed a Committee of Inquiry headed by Air Marshal (Retd.) P.P. Rajkumar to Inquire into the circumstances of accident of Pawan Hans helicopter at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on April 19, 2011. The Committee comprises following members: Air Commodore (Retd.) Rai Krishan             – Member Wing Commander (Retd.) Rabinder Singh     – Member Shri... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: Safe Flight
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation’s Powerline Detection System (PDS) has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the Enstrom 480B model helicopter. The FAA has issued a Type Certificate for the Powerline Detection System.  Safe Flight and Enstrom are currently working towards a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that will allow for a retrofit installation... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: FAA
The FAA Aeronautical Information Management group (AIM) is hosting a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Industry Day. NOTAM Industry Day is an event where AIM shares the latest modernization efforts in aeronautical information. There will be a variety of presenters and time will be given for questions and answers to highlight the progress in modernizing the NOTAM... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: US Dept of Homeland Security
(April 20) Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today will announce the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)—a robust terrorism advisory system that provides timely information to the public about credible terrorist threats and replaces the former color-coded alert system. As part of today’s announcement, Secretary Napolitano will... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: LA Times
Los Angeles Police Department is investigating reports that a police helicopter struck by gunfire Sunday morning was fired on by more than one group of suspects.... Read more
23-Apr-2011Source: FAA
GA pilots know that a proper preflight is always a crucial part of a safe flight. But, for many pilots the preflight inspection cliché of “kick the tires and light the fires†is a difficult one to shake. There is the strong tendency to fall victim to complacency, especially when dealing with an aircraft you... Read more
21-Apr-2011Source: HAI
HAI is co-sponsoring the NBAA North East Safety Symposium Thurs., May 19 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at TAC Air in Windsor Locks, Conn. The safety program is geared toward Airports, FBOs and Helicopter crews. Hear professionals discuss: WILDLIFE STRIKE AVOIDANCE and WILDLIFE MITIGATION RAMP and FBO SAFETY MISSION SAFETY AIRCRAFT INTERDICTION Presentations will be made... Read more
20-Apr-2011Source: NOIA
Washington, DC – Bristow Group was awarded the 2011 National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) Safety in Seas Award today, recognizing their outstanding contribution to the safety of life offshore for energy workers through their “Target Zero†program of training and safety tracking. Bristow’s award-winning nomination was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges from the... Read more
20-Apr-2011Source: Helitech
The latest European safety requirements for helicopter operators is just one of the high profile topics that will come under the microscope at Helitech’s conference this year. Helitech 2011 takes place at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, near Cambridge, from 27 to 29 Sept. The Helitech Conference, which is new for 2011, will take... Read more
19-Apr-2011Source: HeliHub.com
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 19-Apr-11 Mil Mi-17 Tawang, India (17F)... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK
The oil and gas industry has underlined its ongoing commitment to offshore helicopter safety, with the launch of a new publication. Oil & Gas UK’s ‘Guidelines for the Management of Aviation Operations’ has been revised and updated to improve awareness of helicopter issues for those whose jobs require a comprehensive technical or logistical understanding. The... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Telvent
Telvent have announced a free webinar on new advanced weather alerting capabilities for European helicopter operators. The online seminar is scheduled for 26th May at 15:00 CEST / 14:00 London, and is targeted at 30 minutes with a 10 minute Q&A session. In their promotional material, Telvent tells us that “weather is the single factor... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Surf Muhlenberg
PHI Air Medical announced a community-wide effort to educate and raise public awareness for alcohol abuse and drunk driving as a part of Alcohol Awareness month. The campaign is called, “You Drink. You Drive. We Fly.”... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Eurocopter
Engine fire while taxying for take-off to offshore rig. Fire put out on the ground... Read more
16-Apr-2011Source: Kent Police
A 21-year-old Maidstone man has been sentenced to eight months in prison for endangering the Kent and Essex Police helicopter while it was on a task in Maidstone last year. On the evening of 24 June 2010 the police helicopter was carrying out a search in the town centre when someone shining a laser pen in the... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: Hawaii News Now
Sunshine helicopters fly around Maui up to 20 times a day. It’s one of Hawaii’s busiest helicopter tour companies. Recently, the FAA picked Sunshine to take part in a landmark program called “safety management system” or SMS.... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: Miami Herald
A helicopter pilot’s failure to see a power line during a deer survey was the probable cause of a fatal crash in the Sierra foothills last year that killed four people, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.  See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 05-Jan-10 N5016U Bell B206 nr Redinger Lake, US-California (4F) Drugs... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: Baltimore Sun
In its latest filing, the federal government says the pilot failed to properly assess the risk of landing the helicopter and executing an approach to the base’s runway, and that he attempted to descend too quickly.... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: HAI
HAI presents the “Overview of Current Trends in Helicopter Safety”seminar in Anchorage, Alaska, on April 29. HAI Director of Safety, Stan Rose, will speak at a combined event for pilots and maintaince technicians for commerical and General Aviation operations. Fred Brisbois, of Sikorsky and the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), will present safety discussions on hazard identification and... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Raven II, G-ODHB – 5 December 2010 at Staverton Airfield, Gloucestershire Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS Correction – 28 September 2010 at Goodwood Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Addendum – 22 September 2009 near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more
15-Apr-2011
Cattleman, Duane Fishlock died instantly when his Robinson helicopter struck powerlines at the Mataranka sports ground and crashed. The only passenger, 20 year old Sam Webb, survived but was seriously injured.- full story [file photo]... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: US Dept of Justice
PHILADELPHIA – James Gautieri, 54, of Williamsport, PA, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for interference with an aircraft or aircraft facilities, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Gautieri was convicted at trial on September 30, 2010 of his involvement in an April 30, 2008 incident during which he shined a laser... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: FAA
Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused the traveling public to question our ability to ensure their safety. This conduct must stop immediately. I am committed to maintaining the highest level of public confidence and that begins with strong... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Barbados does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on an assessment of Barbados’ civil aviation authority As a result, the FAA has assigned Barbados an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 2 rating. With... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: BBC
Newly discovered Ministry of Defence documents have cast further doubt on the cause of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.... Read more
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
28-Mar-2011
After the passengers had boarded the aircraft, the commander heard a noise and the aircraft suddenly settled and adopted a nose high attitude. The engines were shut down, the passengers and crew disembarked. Subsequent examination of the aircraft by the crew showed that the undercarriage aft crosstube had failed, due to metallurgical fatigue.... 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
24-Mar-2011
Pilot lost control over a forest fire. Helicopter crashed killing pilot Hector Metuaze de la Fuente, Passenger seriously injured. Post crash fire and burnt out... 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
18-Mar-2011
Passenger struck fatally on head by main rotor when disembarking on sloping site. Pilot listed as Pablo Blanco Venegas... 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
16-Mar-2011
Uneventful approach and landing on the helideck where it was intended to embark ten passengers and some equipment. After nine passengers had boarded, the aircraft suddenly settled and adopted a nose high attitude. The engines were shut down and the passengers and crew disembarked. Subsequent examination of the aircraft by the crew showed that the... 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