Safety

FAA knew controllers nap, ignored fatigue issue

FAA knew controllers nap, ignored fatigue issue

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

Pawan Hans rejects allegations about airworthiness of fleet

Pawan Hans rejects allegations about airworthiness of fleet

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

India appoints committee of inquiry for fatal accident at Tawang

India appoints committee of inquiry for fatal accident at Tawang

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

Robinson R66 SB-1

Robinson R66 SB-1

26-Apr-2011Source: Robinson

D333-13 Fitting Lubrication... Read more

Powerline detection system certified on Enstrom 480B

Powerline detection system certified on Enstrom 480B

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

FAA to hold Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Industry Day on 3rd May

FAA to hold Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Industry Day on 3rd May

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

US Dept of Homeland Security implements new National Terrorism Advisory System

US Dept of Homeland Security implements new National Terrorism Advisory System

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

LAPD helicopter may have been fired on twice

LAPD helicopter may have been fired on twice

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

FAA Safety Teams holding “Going Beyond Preflight” seminars

FAA Safety Teams holding “Going Beyond Preflight” seminars

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

HAI co-sponsors NBAA North East Safety Symposium

HAI co-sponsors NBAA North East Safety Symposium

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

Bristow wins 2011 NOIA Safety-in-Seas award

Bristow wins 2011 NOIA Safety-in-Seas award

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

Safety and Greener Technology top Helitech 2011 conference schedule

Safety and Greener Technology top Helitech 2011 conference schedule

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

Pawan Hans Mi-17 crashes, killing 17

Pawan Hans Mi-17 crashes, killing 17

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

New publication underlines offshore industry’s commitment to helicopter safety

New publication underlines offshore industry’s commitment to helicopter safety

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

Free webinar on new advanced weather alerting for helicopter operators

Free webinar on new advanced weather alerting for helicopter operators

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

PHI Air Medical launches provocative alcohol awareness campaign

PHI Air Medical launches provocative alcohol awareness campaign

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-11 G-REDG Eurocopter AS365N3 Norwich, UK

18-Apr-11 G-REDG Eurocopter AS365N3 Norwich, UK

18-Apr-2011Source: Eurocopter

Engine fire while taxying for take-off to offshore rig.  Fire put out on the ground... Read more

8 months prison for shining laser at UK police helicopter

8 months prison for shining laser at UK police helicopter

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

Sunshine Helicopters of Maui picked for landmark aviation safety program

Sunshine Helicopters of Maui picked for landmark aviation safety program

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

NTSB points to helicopter pilot’s failure to see power line as probable crash cause

NTSB points to helicopter pilot’s failure to see power line as probable crash cause

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

Maryland at fault in ’08 State Police crash that killed four, US claims

Maryland at fault in ’08 State Police crash that killed four, US claims

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

HAI and FAASTeam present Safety Seminar in Alaska

HAI and FAASTeam present Safety Seminar in Alaska

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

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – April 2011

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

Australian pilot crashed R22 when drunk

Australian pilot crashed R22 when drunk

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

33 months for shining laser at Philadelphia Police helicopter

33 months for shining laser at Philadelphia Police helicopter

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

FAA accepts Air Traffic boss’ resignation

FAA accepts Air Traffic boss’ resignation

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

FAA announces safety rating for Barbados

FAA announces safety rating for Barbados

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

New doubt cast over Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash cause

New doubt cast over Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash cause

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

Grey Owl Aviation Consultants offers Human Factors workshops

Grey Owl Aviation Consultants offers Human Factors workshops

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

Lab focuses on new technology to prevent icing on helicopters

Lab focuses on new technology to prevent icing on helicopters

11-Apr-2011Source: Physorg

Research from Ed Smith, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Penn State Rotorcraft Center of Excellence... Read more

US DoD surveys military crews on back/neck pain

US DoD surveys military crews on back/neck pain

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

Helibras launches AS350 armour shielding for hostile environments

Helibras launches AS350 armour shielding for hostile environments

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

NEMSPA hails success of Cincinnati Helicopter Safety Summit

NEMSPA hails success of Cincinnati Helicopter Safety Summit

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

UN condemns attack on peacekeeper helicopter

UN condemns attack on peacekeeper helicopter

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

CHC celebrates value of SQID safety database

CHC celebrates value of SQID safety database

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

US military close fatal Puerto Rico UH-72A crash investigation without an answer

US military close fatal Puerto Rico UH-72A crash investigation without an answer

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

Australian CAA threatens to prosecute man over R22 waterskiing stunt

Australian CAA threatens to prosecute man over R22 waterskiing stunt

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

6,000th image filed in HeliHub.com gallery

6,000th image filed in HeliHub.com gallery

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

FAA to launch GA safety initiative on 2nd April

FAA to launch GA safety initiative on 2nd April

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

Inspector General issues letter regarding FAA’s oversight of on-demand aircraft operators

Inspector General issues letter regarding FAA’s oversight of on-demand aircraft operators

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-11 A6-FLZ Bell 412EP Zakum West Super Complex, UAE

28-Mar-11 A6-FLZ Bell 412EP Zakum West Super Complex, UAE

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

Transport Canada to respond to Cougar S92 report

Transport Canada to respond to Cougar S92 report

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-11 CC-CID Bell 205A-1 San Clemente, Chile

24-Mar-11 CC-CID Bell 205A-1 San Clemente, Chile

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

USMC mechanic dies after CH-53 landing gear collapse

USMC mechanic dies after CH-53 landing gear collapse

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

Major HEMS Associations Commit to IHST Goals and Process

Major HEMS Associations Commit to IHST Goals and Process

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

FAA warns helicopter pilots over use of Garmin 400/500 GPS with TAWS

FAA warns helicopter pilots over use of Garmin 400/500 GPS with TAWS

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

UK scientists demo technology to make brown-out landings safer

UK scientists demo technology to make brown-out landings safer

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

Detached bolt cited in Australian fatal R44 investigation

Detached bolt cited in Australian fatal R44 investigation

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-11 CC-ACX Eurocopter AS350B3 Libertador, Chile

18-Mar-11 CC-ACX Eurocopter AS350B3 Libertador, Chile

18-Mar-2011

Passenger struck fatally on head by main rotor when disembarking on sloping site.  Pilot listed as Pablo Blanco Venegas... Read more

Factory-operated Rotorway A600 Talon crashes

Factory-operated Rotorway A600 Talon crashes

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

Rotorcraft “Gotchas” is focus of March 22 Safety Seminar

Rotorcraft “Gotchas” is focus of March 22 Safety Seminar

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-11 A6-FLV Bell 412EP Zakum Field, UAE

16-Mar-11 A6-FLV Bell 412EP Zakum Field, UAE

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

Omniflight completes Level 1 of FAA Safety Management System Program

Omniflight completes Level 1 of FAA Safety Management System Program

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

US Marine Corps UH-1N has mid-air engine fire

US Marine Corps UH-1N has mid-air engine fire

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

NTSB issues safety alert on unmarked weather observation towers

NTSB issues safety alert on unmarked weather observation towers

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

CASA investigates TV star owner of North Australian Helicopters

CASA investigates TV star owner of North Australian Helicopters

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

NTSB to host volunteer pilot safety seminar on March 25

NTSB to host volunteer pilot safety seminar on March 25

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

Winnipeg police EC120 zapped with laser; man arrested

Winnipeg police EC120 zapped with laser; man arrested

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

FADEC alleged in legal case over fatal OH-58D Kiowa Warrior accident

FADEC alleged in legal case over fatal OH-58D Kiowa Warrior accident

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

Whistleblower mechanic awarded $485,000 after being fired for reporting unsafe helicopters

Whistleblower mechanic awarded $485,000 after being fired for reporting unsafe helicopters

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

UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – March 2011

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

AAMS renews safety commitment to International Helicopter Safety Team

AAMS renews safety commitment to International Helicopter Safety Team

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

New Bell Wire Strike Protection System under development

New Bell Wire Strike Protection System under development

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

Rotorcraft Leasing Sikorsky S76 makes wheels up landing

Rotorcraft Leasing Sikorsky S76 makes wheels up landing

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

One of the last Westland Wasps written off

One of the last Westland Wasps written off

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

HeliHub.com to add global web links

HeliHub.com to add global web links

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

Watch HAI Safety Symposium live from Heli-Expo 2011

Watch HAI Safety Symposium live from Heli-Expo 2011

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

SRT Helicopters helps Good Samaritan Hospital with emergency planning

SRT Helicopters helps Good Samaritan Hospital with emergency planning

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

SkyBooks latest release focuses on ADs

SkyBooks latest release focuses on ADs

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

Sandel adds WireWatchâ„¢ Wire-Strike Protection feature to HeliTAWSâ„¢

Sandel adds WireWatchâ„¢ Wire-Strike Protection feature to HeliTAWSâ„¢

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

R44 crashes and burns in the Everglades

R44 crashes and burns in the Everglades

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

EMS EC135 makes precautionary landing at Boston Logan Airport

EMS EC135 makes precautionary landing at Boston Logan Airport

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

Three helicopters wrongly fuelled at Forestville

Three helicopters wrongly fuelled at Forestville

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

AS532 door problem sucks out crew member to his death

AS532 door problem sucks out crew member to his death

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

Polish EMS chooses Becker Avionics 406 MHz GPS PLB for EC135 fleet

Polish EMS chooses Becker Avionics 406 MHz GPS PLB for EC135 fleet

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

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