14-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The EBACE show in Geneva has a total of just three helicopters on display. Bell have taken their demonstrator 429, while AgustaWestland have brought a GrandNew from a French customer and Eurocopter have an EC135 from a Swiss customer. EBACE, like NBAA in the US, is clearly focussed on the corporate fixed wing market, and... Read more
11-May-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today Ecuador’s Director General of Civil Aviation and the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia have approved the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 to 7,500 lbs. allowing for added safety and capability. The increase of 500 lbs. – to 7,500 lbs – is based... Read more
9-May-2012
Crashed into a wheat field during agricultural operations. Pilot named as Brian Townsend... Read more
8-May-2012Source: Queensland Government
The Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) Helicopter Rescue service will receive a boost to its frontline operational capabilities including faster response times with today’s opening of its new $1.6 million hangar at Archerfield Airport. Community Safety Minister, Jack Dempsey said the new hangar, which connects to the existing hangar at Archerfield by a taxiway, will provide... Read more
6-May-2012Source: Cadorath Aerospace
Cadorath Aerospace announces it’s development of 15 new Bell Helicopter repairs in April 2012. The Cadorath design and engineering department continues to develop approved repairs for the Bell Helicopter line nearing close to a total of 800 repairs now available. Cadorath Aerospace recently engineered repairs on the Bell Helicopter’s 204B, 205A-1, and 212 rework lines... Read more
4-May-2012Source: Paravion Technology
Paravion Technology, Inc. announces that the FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) for its Blade Fold Kit for Bell 429 helicopters. With the fixed provisions installed, owners and operators can store their aircraft in space limited areas, such as small, off-site hangars and aboard ocean-going vessels. The... Read more
3-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Air Technology Belgium has handled the import of Europe’s first Bell 407GX on behalf of its owner, Jan Construct NV. The helicopter will be operated by HeliPlus (in similar ownership to Jan Construct) and based at their facility at Spiere Heliport near Warcoing. The company currently operates two Bell 407s, a Eurocopter EC120 and a... Read more
2-May-2012Source: Raytheon Australia
Raytheon Australia’s new Bell 429 helicopters have commenced activities with the Royal Australian Navy under the RAN’s Retention and Motivation Initiative 2 (RMI 2) Program. This milestone was marked by the achievement of the In Service Date for the RMI 2 Program. Operating since 2007, the Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI1) provided the Navy with... Read more
2-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The HeliHub.com team has noticed that the early sales of the Bell 407GX demonstrate particular success for Bell in Central and South America. Of the first 14 off the production line, more than half are in that region, with three in Brazil and one each to Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama. The 407GX is... Read more
2-May-2012
Crash from low level while on gas pipeline survey. Pilot Wayne Spry and his two passengers, Jerry Senger and Clint Shoemaker received minor injuries.... Read more
1-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
1-May-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), today delivered the first Bell 407GX to be operated in Canada to Newfoundland Helicopters. “We have a long and rich history with Newfoundland Helicopters and we’re excited to share this landmark day with them. The 407GX is assembled at Mirabel, Canada, so it is particularly gratifying to... Read more
1-May-2012Source: Bell
The Bell Helicopter, Textron Inc. safety publication, Helicopter Professional Pilots Safety Program or HELIPROPS, designed for helicopter pilots, is now available electronically online. Bell’s newsletter Human AD, Airworthiness for Humans, is published in English and Spanish and is distributed to readers in approximately 122 countries. A popular feature of the newsletter are articles from helicopter pilots’ own experiences flying... Read more
1-May-2012
Struck trees with main rotor blades while landing... Read more
30-Apr-2012Source: AEM
AEM’s 400W External PA System has been chosen by the Turkish National Police (TNP) for their new fleet of 15 Bell 429 twin-engine helicopters. The contract for the new helicopters was signed last month between Bell and the TNP authorities. All aircraft will be built at Bell’s Canadian facility in Mirabel, Quebec with the aircraft... Read more
30-Apr-2012Source: Helicopter Museum
The home of the world’s largest helicopter collection, The Helicopter Museum (THM) at Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset, is taking delivery on May 1st of one of the most iconic aircraft ever produced, a JetRanger helicopter. Developed in the mid 1960s, the 5 seat turbine engined JetRanger was one of the first helicopter designs to introduce... Read more
30-Apr-2012
The helicopter was on a transport mission from Barranquilla to Caucasia when the accident occurred, killing all 13 on board – 7 from the Colombian Air Force and 6 from the Colombian National Police. Pilot was named as Major Abel Jorge Garcia Cardona, while Lieutenant Hector Vega Alejandro Cuevas was serving as copilot.... Read more
30-Apr-2012
EMS helicopter taking off from accident site – and downwash caused awning to blow over... Read more
27-Apr-2012Source: Nordic Rotors
Sweden’s oldest active helicopter company, Lapplandsflyg, has decided to retire. The flight operations will be terminated this summer, and its business will be permanently closed. The shut-down includes the summer bases in Kvikkjokk and Hemavan/Ammarnäs, together with the shuttle routes between Hemavan-Ammarnäs and Ritsem-Staloluokta-Kvikkjokk as well. The routes will be inherited by other companies and... Read more
27-Apr-2012
Agricultural accidents. Starboard skid reportedly hit crop, Pilot got out on his own. Tail boom severed from fuselage. Pilot later named in press as 59-year-old Thomas Green of Gettysburg... Read more
26-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com
RLC have recently sold two JetRanger 3 and two LongRanger 3 helicopters to Australia as part of their continual fleet renewal program. All four were cancelled from the FAA register on 11th and 12th April, but have yet to be registered with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia – the JetRangers are serial... Read more
26-Apr-2012Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics have announced that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), Florida, has selected the DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control panel system for its new Bell 407GX helicopter. The aircraft is currently being outfitted with a law enforcement completion package at Bell Helicopter’s facility in Piney Flats, Tennessee. The new Bell 407GX is equipped... Read more
26-Apr-2012
Substantially damaged in heavy landing. Both occupants to hospital. Weather report as winds gusting to 30 knots at the time of the accident... Read more
25-Apr-2012Source: Northrop Grumman
The U.S. Navy has selected Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) to produce the next-generation Fire Scout unmanned helicopter using the Bell 407 airframe. The new variant provides greater range, endurance and payload capacity to ship commander’s intelligence-gathering efforts. According to a U.S. Department of Defense news release on contract awards released April 23, the company will produce... Read more
24-Apr-2012Source: New Era
The case in which Rainier Arangies, the owner of the helicopter that was grounded jointly by the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Civil Aviation authority in February following an uproar was postponed to 22 June in the High Court (see full story)... Read more
24-Apr-2012Source: Raytheon Australia
Raytheon Australia today announced that it has submitted its tender for the Air 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) competition. The Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, Mr Michael Ward, said that the company’s team that included Bell Helicopter, Milskil, Nova Systems and Virtual Simulation Systems was pleased to present the Commonwealth with an... Read more
24-Apr-2012
Agricultural ops, crashed in field... Read more
23-Apr-2012Source: Helicargo
Luis Guillermo Angel Restrepo and his company Helicargo S.A. will bring the newly unveiled Bell 525 “super medium” helicopter to Colombian skies in the near future. Angel Restrepo (Helicargo) will have sole authority to distribute this helicopter in Colombia and will begin marketing this model immediately. With literally an audience of thousands, Bell Helicopter put... Read more
23-Apr-2012Source: Queensland Government
Ed: Background to this press release is that Queensland has recently gone through elections, and the incoming administration have fulfilled a manifesto pledge by taking this action Police Minister Jack Dempsey has secured South East Queensland’s police helicopter. The Gold Coast-based police helicopter, which was originally funded by the Gold Coast City Council, will now... Read more
20-Apr-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has opened a new office in New Delhi for all of its operations in India. “Bell Helicopter is investing in India. We believe there are tremendous growth opportunities in terms of sales and manufacturing. This is an important day for Bell Helicopter as we... Read more
18-Apr-2012Source: Textron
Textron Inc.’s first-quarter profit soared on strength from the aircraft maker’s Bell helicopter segment and improved sales of Cessna aircraft. Results easily topped expectations. “The demand environment for our commercial aircraft and industrial products continued to improve, which reinforces our confidence in our outlook for the year,” said Chief Executive Scott C. Donnelly. The maker... Read more
18-Apr-2012Source: BLR Aerospace
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the FastFin® Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System for installation and flight on Bell 212 helicopters. Certification for Bell 204s and 205s is imminent, and EASA certification of BLR’s best-selling Bell 412 FastFin System is in work. European operators of these Bell medium helicopters may now join... Read more
16-Apr-2012Source: RFID Journal
Bell Helicopter estimates that it recouped its investment within a year, according to Aaron Druyvesteyn, the firm’s manager of logistics, who described the solution to an audience at an Orlando conference recently. See full story... Read more
16-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
16-Apr-2012Source: Rebtech
As part of an ongoing expansion of product offerings, REB Technologies, Inc. (REBTECH) has received an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of an intravenous (IV) medical pump mounting system. The mount can accommodate up to three SPACE Infusion Pumps manufactured by the global medical products company, B. Braun Medical, Inc., and applies... Read more
15-Apr-2012Source: Bell
NOTE – We are running the Bell press release verbatim below. Bell issued their press release on 13th April, but HeliHub.com had already run the story on 9th April…. Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), was awarded a contract by US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Alabama for the procurement of contractor logistics support... Read more
15-Apr-2012
Four injured when helicopter crashed into two houses – Juan Carlos Menendez, 40, Andres Turcios, 32, and Octavio Gordillo, 52 and one identified only as Michael. Aircraft made at least four circuits above Antigua before it went down, the fire department spokesman said – reportedly on aerial filming work... Read more
14-Apr-2012
Substantially damaged landing on gravel road around 3am local time after experiencing engine trouble on positioning flight after refuelling. Sole occupant pilot not injured.... Read more
13-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Not previously reported here on HeliHub.com, INAER picked up a two year contract with the State Government of Cantabria. Covering the two calendar years of 2012 and 2013, INAER will provide a Bell 412 based at Santander for EMS and SAR work. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
13-Apr-2012Source: Cadorath Aerospace
Cadorath Aerospace announces its development of 12 new Bell Helicopter repairs in March 2012. The Cadorath design and engineering department has developed approved repairs for the Bell Helicopter line to now include over 700 repairs. Cadorath Aerospace recently engineered repairs on the Bell Helicopter’s 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3 and 206L-4 rework lines says Cadorath... Read more
13-Apr-2012
Minor damage during external load operations... Read more
12-Apr-2012
Baxter County Sheriff has acquired two ex-military surplus OH-58s from Arkansas State Police, where they had become surplus to requirements after acquisition of a Bell 407. The two aircraft are N528SP and N529SP. The photo shows Baxter County have tried to disguise their registrations for the road trip! Baxter will merge the two into one usable... Read more
12-Apr-2012Source: Canadian National Defence
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that another CH-146 Griffon helicopter will be established at 5 Wing Goose Bay. With this addition, three Griffon helicopters will now provide utility helicopter capability at 5 Wing. “A third Griffon aircraft at 5 Wing Goose Bay will have an immediate positive impact on the... Read more
12-Apr-2012
Peruvian National Police helicopter crashed killing co-pilot Nancy Flores after being shot at by rebels while searching for 43 kidnapped energy company workers. Two others – gunner Luis Guerrero and a civilian acting as a guide, Elver Huaman, were wounded.... Read more
11-Apr-2012Source: Shimco
Shimco announced today the receipt of the prestigious Bell Helicopter Premier Supplier Award. This designation recognizes Shimco’s world class business processes and quality products, including precision manufactured parts, laminated and edgebond shims, tapers and spacers. In order to qualify for the Premier Supplier Award, a supplier must meet or exceed numerous standards including AS9100 Certification,... Read more
11-Apr-2012Source: Air Evac Lifeteam
Air Evac Lifeteam, an independently-owned air ambulance provider serving rural America, has opened a new base in Licking County. Air Evac Lifeteam crews provide on-the-scene medical care and rapid medical transport, as well as transfers between medical facilities, and the new base will serve the community of Cambridge. The base opened on March 15 and... Read more
10-Apr-2012Source: Donaldson
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), has completed delivery of its Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) systems for the U.S. Army’s fleet of Bell TH-67 training helicopters. More than 180 helicopters were retrofitted with upgraded inlet protection at the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala. Donaldson IBFs... Read more
10-Apr-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced that as part of the OH-58D Wartime Replacement Aircraft Cabin program, it has received a contract for the nonrecurring engineering and a “new metal” OH-58D cabin. This contract is the latest in a series that have continually added additional Kiowa Warrior helicopters to address attrition rates... Read more
10-Apr-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems operating unit AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, both Textron Inc. companies (NYSE: TXT), have teamed to develop a Manned Unmanned Operations (MUMO) Capability Development Laboratory in Huntsville, AL. to enable a software and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) development test capability using operationally relevant systems specific to manned unmanned teaming. This MUMO Capability Development... Read more
9-Apr-2012Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $15,361,430 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for the procurement of contractor logistics support for 30 Bell 407 helicopters. Work will be performed in Al Taji, Iraq, and Piney Flats, Tenn., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2013. One bid was solicited, with... Read more
9-Apr-2012Source: US DoD
Oceus Networks, Inc.*, Reston, Va., is being awarded a $7,804,428 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N68335-12-C-0100) to exercise an option for a rapidly deployable fourth generation long term evolution tactical, wireless, maritime command and control communication solution and support the operational test and evaluation. This modification will provided for the installation of equipment... Read more
9-Apr-2012
Emergency landing at Barksdale AFB after suspected bird strike. Registration assumed as news received by HeliHub showed operator name as “Pafford EMS helicopter” and this LongRanger flies as “Pafford Air One“... Read more
6-Apr-2012
Emergency landing in fog, killing sole occupant pilot Valeri Maiorov... Read more
4-Apr-2012
Bird strike on take off while pilot was using NVG. Damage to windscreen and vertical fin... Read more
2-Apr-2012
Tail rotor struck ground during hover taxi... Read more
1-Apr-2012
Cockpit indication led pilot to make emergency landing at night. Aircraft later checked out and cleared to fly... Read more
30-Mar-2012Source: Kawasaki
(Electronic translation from Japanese) Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today, we received an order (1) new multi-purpose helicopter for the Ground Self-Defense Force from the Ministry of Defense. In addition, “UH-X” is, as the successor of multi-purpose helicopter of JGSDF UH-1J, the aircraft is to be used for the transport of goods, and various other... Read more
30-Mar-2012Source: US Marine Corps
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 conducted it’s final flight of their last AH-1W Super Cobra at Marine Corps Air Station 39, Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 23. The squadron first received an AH-1W in 1987 and has been conducting training and combat operations with it for the last 25 years. They will receive six AH-1Z... Read more
30-Mar-2012
Sightseeing tour with four British tourists crashed on the side of a mountain near Highways 1 and 40 east of Canmore. Pilot Matthew Goodine died prior to arrival at hospital, with other passengers sustaining minor injuries CADAORS 2012C1381... Read more
28-Mar-2012Source: Transportation Ministry
(electronic translation from local language)   Board of Education Human Resources (BPSDM) Transportation to buy 20 trainer aircraft, consisting of 18 fixed-wing aircraft ( fixed wing ) and 2 units of rotary wing aircraft (helicopters). Total value of 20 training aircraft that will be placed in flight schools owned by the government, worth Rp 184.6 billion. Unit price of 18... Read more
28-Mar-2012
While en route to a medical emergency at Steele, LifeSaver 1 from Birmingham was struck by a goose and landed in the parking lot at Margaret Elementary School. ** NOTE ** Registration is assumed from operator website. Â The FAA repors code “LSV1” which refers to “LifeSaver 1” and recent photos on the LifeSaver 1 facebook... Read more
27-Mar-2012Source: OA Online
Bill Webster, CEO for Medical Center Hospital, said that the hospital will give full control to their partner Med-Trans. The program name will be changed to AeroCare, bringing it into line with the naming convention of air medical services in Seminole, Lubbock and Clovis, N.M. (full story). They operate two Bell 407s out of Odessa... Read more
27-Mar-2012
Pilot smelt burning and made emergency field landing close to road intersection. Helicopter burned out on the ground. Although fitted with spray bars, operator Custom Air said no chemical was on board. Custom Air have three OH-58s registered to them – N128NS (70-15128), N354NS (71-20354), N452MC (69-16110)... Read more
26-Mar-2012Source: Bell
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) companies Bell Helicopter and Cessna Aircraft Company announced today that their joint service facility, operated by Aviation Service a.s. in Prague, Czech Republic, has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) certification. “Growing our customer support and services around the globe is a strategic priority... Read more
23-Mar-2012
Emergency landing in wooded area. Helicopter ended up on its skids with its nose against a wall, narrowly missing a convenience store. Pilot and copilot both both injured... Read more
22-Mar-2012
Helicopter struck wires and crashed into the icy waters of the River Volga, killing the pilot. The helicopter was inverted and half under the ice with the pilot (named as Igor Sevbo) trapped inside. Helicopter lifted out by Mil Mi-8 airlift... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: Busco News
C&A Tool in Churubusco was recently awarded the Bell Premier Supplier Award.  Bell awards this annually in recognition of suppliers with superior business processes and world class quality standards (see full story)... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: TSB
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its final investigation report (A11W0070) into the loss of control and collision with the water involving a helicopter operated by Campbell Helicopters Ltd. that occurred on Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta, on 20 May 2011. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, died in the crash. Mid–afternoon on the 20 of May... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada, FAA and EASA approval of DART Aerospace Ltd.’s (DAS) Run-on Landing Wearplates for Bell 205/210/212/214/412 and UH-1H series of aircraft. DAS Run-on Landing Wearplates feature an easy thru-bolt installation which makes installation or replacement quick and easy, eliminates clamps over the skidtube and prevents the... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics announced that the Turkish National Police (TNP) has selected its digital aircraft audio system, the DVCS6100, for their new fleet of fifteen (15) Bell 429 light-twin helicopters. Becker Avionics is the worldwide leader in airborne Digital Audio and intercom solutions for Helicopter and Fixed-Wing aircraft applications. Their DVCS6100 is the best selling tactical... Read more
16-Mar-2012Source: US DoD
Walbridge Aldinger Co., Detroit, Mich., is being awarded $11,515,000 for firm-fixed-price task order 0003 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-10-D-5331) for construction of an H-1Y/Z helicopter gearbox repair and test facility at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. This single-story high bay building facility will include a disassembly area, parts kitting area,... Read more
16-Mar-2012Source: US DoD
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, L.L.C., Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $21,209,470 modification to a previously awarded an indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-05-D-0023) for logistics services support of 119 TH-57B/TH-57C aircraft. Services to be provided include repair and/or overhaul of aircraft, engines, avionics, and related components. Funds will not be obligated at time of award. Work... Read more
16-Mar-2012
Helicopter on agricultural operations crashed in a banana field. Pilot got out OK and then helicopter caught fire and burnt out.... Read more
14-Mar-2012
While on “routine aerial patrol” the helicopter crashed into a residential area. Reports vary as to number of fatalities, but general consensus is 7 in the helicopter and 5 on the ground. Nigerian Police press release names four in the helicopter – DIG Haruna John the DIG In-charge of Operations, ACP Garba Yalwa – Pilot,... Read more
