Accidents Civil

30-Jun-15 C-GXLD Airbus AS350B2 Fort Simpson, Canada

conducting forest fire fighting operations in the area of Fort Simpson, NT. Prior to landing in CYFS, the pilot maneuvered to set down the water bucket. While preparing to set down on the landing pad beside the bucket, the tail rotor blades contacted a fuel drum. The helicopter touched down shortly thereafter and remained upright.... Read more

30-Jun-15 N7150J Robinson R22 Houston, US-Texas

Force landed in field.  Damage level unknown... Read more

30-Jun-15 Sikorsky S92 St John’s, Canada

Turned back to base due to low oil pressure warning.   The culprit of the oil leak, according to Statoil, was likely a wrong-sized O-ring installed during maintenance.... Read more

29-Jun-15 HB-ZRY AgustaWestland AW109SP Amden, Switzerland

Blades broke telephone line.  Pilot named in report as Schweizer Bürger... Read more

29-Jun-15 CS-HMH Airbus AS350B3 Lamoso, Portugal

Crashed into water during firefighting operations and sank... Read more

28-Jun-15 VH-RBO Robinson R22 Daly Waters, Australia

When at about 100 ft above ground level and an airspeed of 40 knots, the pilot conducted a turn into wind. As the helicopter turned, the pilot received a low rotor rpm warning. The helicopter collided with terrain and rolled onto its side, resulting in substantial damage (photo). The pilot sustained minor injuries. Final report... Read more

28-Jun-15 N311RL Bell 407 Platform 127, US-Gulf of Mexico

“Blown off the side of the platform” during run-up on offshore rig. 1 minor injury... Read more

27-Jun-15 RA-05765 Robinson R44 Tisulskom, Russia (3F)

After striking a low level wire, the pilot elected to land on the shoreline (or sandbank?) of a river.  On subsequent take-off the pilot lost control and crashed – photo shows it on a rocky shoreline.... Read more

27-Jun-15 MD Helicopters MD500 Poerua Glacier, New Zealand

Crashed on take off, injuring the pilot Brad Maclachlan and two hunters he had just picked up... Read more

27-Jun-15 F-PPCO Rotorway 162F Montséret, France

Engine failed, and  helicopter fell onto its side during autorotation landing. Pilot and his passenger/wife got out OK... Read more

26-Jun-15 Aberdeen, UK

Bristow aircraft returned to base after caution light illuminated – reportedly in error... Read more

25-Jun-15 G-CDXX Robinson R44 Leicester, UK

Take off accident, helicopter fell onto its side.  One minor injury... Read more

25-Jun-15 G-CDXX Robinson R44 II Leicester, UK

The pilot was intending to make a local flight and having completed his pre-flight checks, gradually increased the rotor rpm to about 80%. From the CCTV it can be observed that at about this time, the helicopter rapidly yawed to the left and rotated through about 290° before tipping over onto its right side. The... Read more

25-Jun-15 N842SH Robinson R22 Eagle Lake, US-Texas

Crashed from low level during agricultural ops. Aircraft destroyed... Read more

24-Jun-15 VT-ENY Airbus AS365N Haldia, India

Red carpet and various other items laid out for the greeting of a visiting VIP (senior Union Minister Nitin Gadkari) were blown up by rotor downdraft and reportedly struck fenestron... Read more

23-Jun-15 VH-RBT Robinson R22 Boyup Brook, Australia

After lift-off, about 30 ft above the ground the pilot reported that the canopy became shrouded in condensation. With a loss of visual reference, the pilot attempted to manoeuvre the helicopter to an area suitable for landing. During the attempt to land, the helicopter struck the ground and rolled on its side. The passenger has... Read more

21-Jun-15 C-FQGY Enstrom 280C Sidney, Canada

The helicopter was landing on an unprepared, deeply cultivated field. During the vertical landing, the left skid settled into the soft ground and the helicopter entered into a dynamic rollover. There was substantial damage to the helicopter. There were no injuries to the pilot or passenger. CADORS 2015C2439... Read more

21-Jun-15 G-TFHW Bell 206B Pembrey, UK

Due to weather conditions on Saturday 20th, the helicopter was unable to fly and remained grounded at the site.  While parked and unattended on Sunday 21st, the helicopter was damaged by cattle which managed to break through fence from adjacent field. Nose area damaged.   Fly Heli Wales had provided the helicopter for the Welsh... Read more

21-Jun-15 N305CG Robinson R44 Danville, US-Arkansas

Force landing in field, aircraft destroyed... Read more

20-Jun-15 N4427F Bell 47G5 Salinas, US-California (1F)

Crashed in low level agricultural work after impacting a fence, killing pilot Frank Gomes Jnr.  Ground crewmen who worked for the operator had just refilled the fertilizer tank on the helicopter prior to its last departure. When the helicopter did not return for its scheduled rinse load the crewmen drove out to the field to... Read more

14-Jun-15 VH-KJJ Robinson R44 Timber Creek, Australia (1F)

The aircraft collided with terrain while conducting aerial agriculture operations. The pilot, the only person on board, died as a result of the accident – named here as Dougal Brett... Read more

12-Jun-15 CC-PTR Robinson R44 El Rosario, Chile

Crashed into a tree on approach to airport.  The pilot, Juan Manuel Urrutia was slightly injured, while his passenger was uninjured.... Read more

11-Jun-15 HB-ZOA Guimbal G2 Cabri Gruyère, Switzerland

During autorotation practice,  the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom after the helicopter bounced off the ground in a heavy landing... Read more

09-Jun-15 Schweizer 300 Lac Central, Canada

A private Schweitzer 269C helicopter took off from a sandy beach at Lac Central for Lac Kénogami with a pilot and a passenger on board. During the initial climb, the aircraft (Lycoming HIO-360-D1A engine) experienced a loss of lift for an undetermined reason and crashed in the lake. The occupants were not injured in the... Read more

08-Jun-15 N501PH Bell 407 Fresh Water City, US-Louisiana

Emergency landing in marsh area.  Boom damaged... Read more

08-Jun-15 N911NV Bell UH-1H Washoe Valley, US-Nevada

Main blades clipped trees.  Landed without further incident... Read more

08-Jun-15 DQ-IHI Airbus AS350B2 Beqa Island, Fiji

Helicopter crashed into shrubs after reportedly some debris struck the main rotor.  Helicopter was reported hired by Vodafone Fiji and had taken the company’s maintenance staff to a tower there.  3 POB... Read more

06-Jun-15 G-RAMY Bell 206B Baldwin Valley, Isle of Man (1F)

Crashed in open field close to the Isle of Man TT motorbike race course.  Racing had been suspended for the whole day due to weather – quoted wind gusts of up to 60 mph.  1 fatality confirmed by Isle of Man Police in this statement.  Photos show wreckage confined to a small area, later named... Read more

05-Jun-15 Enstrom F280FX Harrison River, Canada

The privately owned Enstrom 280FX helicopter, was being flown from Bralorne to Langley. The pilot/owner ditched the aircraft in the Harrison River. The pilot was not injured but the aircraft was significantly damaged. CADORS 2015P0926... Read more

01-Jun-15 C-GRJI Safari 400 Conception Bay South, Canada

The Safari 400 homebuilt helicopter was being operated on the owner’s property. The engine was being tested to ensure the governor was correctly installed. The helicopter became airborne by 2-3 feet and the operator lost control. The helicopter went sideways and struck the ground rolling on its side. The helicopter was destroyed but the pilot... Read more

31-May-15 N462CC Bell UH-1B Minam Lodge Cove, US-Oregon

Substantially damaged in heavy landing... Read more

31-May-15 OE-XJK Robinson R22 Kasten bei Böheimkirchen, Austria

Substantially damaged after hitting roof of a house and crashing in the front garden.  House unoccupied at the time.   Both occupants seriously injure.... Read more

30-May-15 Delareyville, South Africa (1F)

Pilot Apie Reyneke died in a helicopter crash in unknown circumstances, while his passengers – wife Yolande and son Abraham were taken to hospital with serious injuries.... Read more

30-May-15 5Y-GYM Airbus EC130 Kinangop, Kenya

Emergency landing in potato field due to weather.  Passengers included Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi and Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa. Pilot named as Evans Sigilai... Read more

29-May-15 PR-ADA Airbus AS355N Atalaia do Norte, Brazil (5F)

The helicopter took off to perform a patient removal flight to Tabatinga. At approximately 19 NM from Tabatinga, the aircraft collided with treetops and, as a result of this shock came to impact against the ground and caught fire.... Read more

29-May-15 MOH-2 Bell 430 Abdali, Kuwait

Date assumed from Facebook posting.  Stone strike shattered co-pilot wind shield.  Inside layer of the laminated glass prevented it falling through into the cockpit.... Read more

29-May-15 N206ED Bell 206B Caledonia, US-Michegan

Emergency situation led pilot Ken Wilson to put the helicopter down into trees – and it came to rest in the branches 40 feet from the ground.  Wilson and passenger Raymond Osan III – working on low level powerlines – were able to get out of the helicopter into the trees, from which they were... Read more

28-May-15 VH-HRW Robinson R22 Mitchell, Australia (1F)

It has been reported that the helicopter’s tail rotor clipped a tree resulting in a loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain.  The pilot was fatally injured – and named here as Jeff Dean... Read more

28-May-15 Airbus EC225 North Sea, UK

Emergency landing at Aberdeen with 19 POB plus 2 crew after alarm sounded – later reported as false... Read more

28-May-15 9M-LLM Bell 206B Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Solo student pilot lost control on landing and helicopter ended up on its starboard side.  Pilot named here as Fatin Nadeera Mohamad Jeffrey.  Post crash fire extinquished by airport fire crew... Read more

28-May-15 C-GJID Bell 206 Cochrane, Canada

The Expedition Helicopters Bell 206B (C-GJID) was flying with a pilot and three passengers. The passengers were checking land claims and were dropped off before the helicopter proceeded to an area where it landed and waited for the passengers. The ground was soft and the pilot landed with caution to ensure the skid gear would... Read more

27-May-15 N138HA Hiller UH-12E Wasco, US-California

Crashed from low level into an onion field during agricultural operations.  Pilot seriously injured, including both legs broken and 80% burns in the post-crash fire... Read more

22-May-15 Robinson R44 Bumbu River, Papua New Guinea

Crashed into a shallow river, possibly after hitting wires.  4 POB rescued OK.  Even if the helicopter survived in a rebuildable state, the locals manage to pull it apart sufficiently in this video that it is most unlikely to be rebuilt.  This tweet claims it was unregistered.  The occupants were all from Frabelle Fishing, a... Read more

20-May-15 PR-POL Airbus AS350B2 Ibateguara, Brazil

During a go-around manoeuvre, the helicopter cut a low voltage power cable and landed a few metres ahead of the intended spot.   After removing a piece of cable from the rotorhead, and inspecting the aircraft, it was flown 70km back to base .... Read more

18-May-15 OH-HNR MD Helicopters MD500D Bocognano, Corsica

During a low level flight prior to attending to vegetation near powerlines, pilot noticed a decrease in engine power.  The subsequent autorotation avoiding powerlines and buildings led to a hard landing and completely burnt out in post crash fire in the garden of a house.  2 POB seriously injured... Read more

13-May-15 Airbus H155 Norwich, UK

Near miss between two (Eurofighter) Typhoon jets and an EC155... Read more

12-May-15 EI-SAI Airbus SA330J Pristina, Kosovo

The aircraft was on a training flight and the pilots were simulating engine failure after the “Landing Decision Point (LDP)”. After the firm touchdown the helicopter bounced and when it touched down again it veered off and tipped over on its right side and caused substantial damage to the Helicopter.... Read more

04-May-15 C-GOHT Robinson R22 Salmon Arm, Canada

R22 piloted by a student on a solo flight from Kelowna (CYLW) to Salmon Arm (CZAM) crashed beside the runway at CZAM. The pilot first approached the airport and crossed mid-field to assess the wind direction; however, it was determined that the aircraft was not into wind. On the second approach from the opposite direction,... Read more

04-May-15 Sikorsky S92 St John’s, Canada

While in the hover and conducting preflight checks, Cougar flight CGR181 experienced a #2 engine power loss. The aircraft was in a 10 foot hover when the incident occurred. With the remaining engine the aircraft landed safely without further incident. All 8 passengers were briefed by the two crew members onboard the helicopter as well... Read more

04-May-15 N504WD Airbus AS350BA Hamilton, US-Montana

On shutting down after practice autorotations, a wrinkle was discovered in the tail boom... Read more

30-Apr-15 N558CP MD Helicopters MD500E New Albany, US-Ohio

Emergency field landing during missing person search due to warning light illumination.  Second of two incidents to same aircraft on same day.  Photo here... Read more

30-Apr-15 N558CP MD Helicopters MD500E Hilliard, US-Ohio

Emergency landing a night in a vacated car park of a retail store, shortly after midnight.  First of two incidents to same aircraft on same day. Photo here... Read more

29-Apr-15 Airbus AS350B Langtang Valley, Nepal (1F)

Accident happened in the rescue operations following a major earthquake which hit Nepal on 25-Apr-15.  Nepalese villagers had demanded to be rescued before the tourists and in the ensuing confusion, a villager was killed by the rotor blades – likely that means “walked into the tail rotor”... Read more

27-Apr-15 Eurocopter EC145 Austin, US-Texas (1F)

Flight nurse fell from helicopter to her death during hoist operations.  Named as Kristin McLain... Read more

24-Apr-15 N7371T Robinson R44 Lakeland, US-Florida

Blade damaged while helicopter being fueled.  The location and date suggest that this was at the Sun’N’Fun event... Read more

22-Apr-15 ZU-UHI Bell UH-1 Bainskloof, South Africa (2F)

Firefighting helicopter crashes with two fatalities – named later as pilot Darrell Rea and crew Jastin Visagie.  Further details to follow and registration awaiting final confirmation – another source is quoting ZS-HBU (4491)... Read more

22-Apr-15 HS-PLL Robinson R44 Koh Kret, Thailand

Crashed and ended on its port side in farm field. Female passenger slightly wounded, while the two men were transported by a local rescue team to Chonpratan Hospital... Read more

22-Apr-15 F-HLOU Robinson R44 Lyon, France

Date assumed given posting date of the incident on Facebook.  Helicopter had been peppered with over 100 lead shots from close range, causing damage the tail boom close to the root... Read more

17-Apr-15 N103CG MD Helicopters MD520 Burbank, US-California

Bird strike, breaking an antenna. Safe emergency landing made... Read more

16-Apr-15 N111FN Airbus AS350B2 Van Nuys, US-California

Unattended and parked helicopter struck by taxying fixed wing Aero Commander aircraft... Read more

13-Apr-15 Bell 206B Lezhi, China (1F)

Crashed, killing the pilot, after hitting powerlines while spraying at low level.  Part of the boom, including the stabilizer and tail, remained attached to the powerline... Read more

11-Apr-15 Pinnarendi, Australia

Pilot suffered shoulder and pelvis injuries in helicopter accident... Read more

10-Apr-15 5N-GEJ Bell 412EP Lagos, Nigeria

Nigerian Police helicopter crashed at the main Lagos Airport close to the VIP area. Helicopter may be used for presidential work and has been referred to in some reports as a “presidential helicopter”. 4 POB – pilot, copilot and two NAF employees – all injured but not seriously... Read more

09-Apr-15 ZS-HTS Airbus AS350B3 Mazabuka, Zambia (1F)

Pilot Mike O’Donnell, was flying the helicopter from Angola to Zambia (and onwards to South Africa per some reports) when it crashed. Post crash fire, although some reports quote helicopter being on fire in the air... Read more

06-Apr-15 N555JC MD500D Cherokee, US-Alabama (1F)

Crashed into Tennessee River and sank without trace. Pilot was only one on board and is missing presumed drowned. Haverfield Aviation confirmed it to be one of their helicopters and some debris from it found further downstream was labelled with the company name. Nearby angler witnessed the helicopter crashing into the water around 1pm. The... Read more

06-Apr-15 C-GSIT Bell 205A.1 Key Lake, Canada

After landing, the pilot exited the helicopter with the engine running to attach a longline. The force trim was not set, and the aircraft started to spin and rotated off the helipad with nobody onboard. The aircraft collided with a metal container that was located by the helipad causing substantial damage to the boom, left... Read more

05-Apr-15 RA-06382 Robinson R66 Gorodki, Russia

Fell onto its side during take-off in snowy conditions... Read more

04-Apr-15 9M-IGB Airbus AS365N2 Semenyih, Malaysia (6F)

Helicopter enroute from Kuantan to Subang when it crashed and caught fire. All occupants were guests at the wedding luncheon of the daughter of the Prime Minister in his hometown of Pekan, Kuantan earlier, and were named as – Rompin Member of Parliament and PR1MA Malaysia Corporation (PR1MA) chairman Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis –... Read more

04-Apr-15 EC-KIR PZL W3 Fernán Pérez, Spain

Date refers to the date that the wreck of this helicopter was found abandoned, and thus the accident could have happened earlier.  Helicopter found having crashed onto its starboard side with tail rotor separated. No marks on the ground around, and relatively light damage to cabin and cockpit area suggests either take-0ff or landing issue. ... Read more

03-Apr-15 ZS-HFO Robinson R44 Coniston, South Africa

Very heavy autorotation landing resulted in skids being ripped off and helicopter coming to rest on its starboard side. Owner reported in his own Facebook post that this was after the “newly fitted Lycoming Engine had just 15 minutes of flight time and lost power on its second flight approx 10 minutes after take off”,... Read more

02-Apr-15 PP-LLS Airbus EC155B1 Carapicuiba, Brazil (5F)

Crashed onto the roof of a house during a post-maintenance test flight. Video footage indicates items fell from the helicopter in flight prior to impact. Pilot was named as Thomaz Rodrigues Alckmin, son of Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin, and three of the other four fatalities were engineers working for Helipark.... Read more

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