News Safety

Legal cases start on fatal UK A109 accident as inquest hears GPWS was switched off

Legal cases start on fatal UK A109 accident as inquest hears GPWS was switched off

20-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com

An inquest in Belfast into the fatal crash of an A109A, registered N2NR, heard today that the GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) was not switched on. A lawyer for the inquiry, Ronan Daly, told the inquest in Belfast that the GPWS “was not actually in use (and that) it was not the requirement for a... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – February 2012

UK AAIB Bulletin – February 2012

20-Feb-2012Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Agusta A109E (G-GCMM), tail rotor strike, Fiveways Trading Estate, Corsham, Wiltshire, 19 July 2011 Hughes 369E (G-KSWI), partial tail rotor control failure, Somerset, 19 June 2011 (1 serious injury)... Read more

2012 FAASTeam Safety Standdown to Debut during Sun-n-Fun

2012 FAASTeam Safety Standdown to Debut during Sun-n-Fun

20-Feb-2012Source: SAFE

The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee identified loss of control–inflight (LOC-I) as the number one cause of fatal general aviation accidents over the last decade. Consequently, this year’s FAASTeam Safety Standdown offers a multi-layered approach to help pilots reduce the risk of an inflight loss of control. The recently videotaped program is hosted by FAA Research Psychologist... Read more

Families want Cougar 491 memorial to be built

Families want Cougar 491 memorial to be built

17-Feb-2012Source: CBC

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has already committed to spend $400,000 on a memorial to mark the crash, which killed 15 workers heading to their jobs at offshore oil platforms and the two Cougar Helicopters pilots who were transporting them. (see full story)... Read more

Air Methods Selects EtQ Safety Management System

Air Methods Selects EtQ Safety Management System

17-Feb-2012Source: EtQ

EtQ, Inc. is pleased to announce the implementation of EtQ Reliance Safety Management System (SMS) at Air Methods—an air medical emergency transport organization. Air Methods selected EtQ Reliance in order to fully automate its SMS and move away from its previous paper system. Collecting, analyzing, trending and reporting of safety events are priorities for Air... Read more

Sandel HeliTAWSâ„¢ selected for Sikorsky S-70i

Sandel HeliTAWSâ„¢ selected for Sikorsky S-70i

12-Feb-2012Source: Sandel Avionics

Sandel Avionics has announced it has been selected by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, CT, to provide a new MIL-STD version of its Sandel HeliTAWS wire and terrain alerting system, the model ST3453H, for forward-fit installation aboard the new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter in mid-2012. The commercial model ST3400H Sandel HeliTAWS is the industry’s first... Read more

Helicopter Flight Services joins Helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety

Helicopter Flight Services joins Helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety

11-Feb-2012Source: TOPS

Helicopter Flight Services (HFS) of New York City will be welcomed into the helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety(TOPS) (Booth #4105) at the TOPS meeting at HELI-EXPO in Dallas. “We’re thrilled to welcome HFS to TOPS and commend their commitment to helicopter tour operation safety,” said TOPS Chair Tim Cudney. “Choosing to become a member of... Read more

Sandel’s Gerry Block receives HAI’s 2012 Safety Award

Sandel’s Gerry Block receives HAI’s 2012 Safety Award

11-Feb-2012Source: Sandel Avionics

Sandel Avionics Inc. has announced that its President and CEO, Gerry Block, has been awarded the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Salute to Excellence AgustaWestland Safety Award, honoring his work in advancing the state of terrain avoidance and warning systems (TAWS) and, in particular, developing the Sandel ST3400H HeliTAWSâ„¢ wire and terrain avoidance system. In announcing... Read more

Tanis releases video on safety benefits of helicopter preheat

Tanis releases video on safety benefits of helicopter preheat

9-Feb-2012Source: Tanis Aircraft Products

Tanis Aircraft Products announced today the successful release of its video “Just Plug It In” highlighting the safety benefits of helicopter preheat. Tanis is the technology and innovation leader in aircraft preheat systems, including state-of-the-art systems designed specifically for rotary wing aircraft. The video “Just Plug It In” describes the functionality and features of the... Read more

NTSB Chairman to deliver keynote address at Heli-Expo

NTSB Chairman to deliver keynote address at Heli-Expo

8-Feb-2012Source: HAI

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will deliver the keynote address during the HAI annual general membership meeting, Sunday, February 12, 2012, at HELI-EXPO® in Dallas, HAI President Matt Zuccaro has confirmed. “We’re looking forward to hearing Chairman Hersman’s thoughts on how we can continue to improve helicopter safety,” said Zuccaro. “While we’re... Read more

Families of Columbian R66 victims hire Los Angeles attorneys

Families of Columbian R66 victims hire Los Angeles attorneys

7-Feb-2012Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman

[ Editor: This press release refers to the faccident –12-Jul-11 N810AG Robinson R66 Girardot Airport, Colombia (2F) ] The aviation accident attorneys at Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman are representing the families of the two men killed in Robinson Helicopter Company’s first R66 crash which occurred on July 12, 2011 near Flandes, Colombia. Killed in... Read more

Come and join the HAI Safety Committee Town Hall Meeting

Come and join the HAI Safety Committee Town Hall Meeting

7-Feb-2012Source: HAI

Come join the discussion on what HAI can do to help you with safety in your organization. What safety resources are you looking for? Pilots, mechanics, instructors and operators, come share your concerns and ideas. We are listening! The HAI HELI-EXPO 2012 Safety Committee Town Hall Meeting will take place Sun., Feb 12, from 10:00... Read more

Paramedic canyon death report clears AW139 and winch

Paramedic canyon death report clears AW139 and winch

5-Feb-2012Source: ABC

Mick Wilson, 41, was being winched to an injured canyoner at Carrington Falls on December 24 when the cable was cut and the paramedic fell to his death.  The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says it has completed examinations into the helicopter and winch and found that neither could have contributed to the accident. (see full... Read more

Q5 Systems releases new SMS software and attends Heli-Expo

Q5 Systems releases new SMS software and attends Heli-Expo

4-Feb-2012Source: Q5 Systems

With customers across the globe and an established name in the aviation industry, Q5 Systems is proud to release their latest version of SMS software which has further evolved to meet the needs of its users. John Lukins, partner and owner says “Version 7.0 boasts several significant enhancements to the way the software can be... Read more

03-Feb-12 ZS-RUH Eurocopter SA330 Pristina, Serbia

03-Feb-12 ZS-RUH Eurocopter SA330 Pristina, Serbia

3-Feb-2012

Power loss during takeoff, ground impact... Read more

UK: Memorial unveiled for victims of Morecambe Bay crash

UK: Memorial unveiled for victims of Morecambe Bay crash

2-Feb-2012Source: BBC

A memorial for seven men who died in a helicopter crash in Morecambe Bay more than five years ago has been unveiled.  Five gas rig workers and two pilots were killed when the Eurocopter SA365N went down 25 miles off the coast after leaving Blackpool Airport. (see full story)... Read more

Nominations open for Eurocopter Canada’s ‘Innovation in Safety Award’

Nominations open for Eurocopter Canada’s ‘Innovation in Safety Award’

2-Feb-2012Source: Eurocopter Canada

Eurocopter Canada Limited (ECL) will identify the best in class with its 2011 ‘Innovation in Safety Award’. The award was established to help strengthen the industry’s understanding of superior safety practices and initiatives by recognizing a group, company, organization or agency that utilizes an exceptional or ground-breaking approach toward rotary wing safe flying operations. “ECL’s... Read more

Meths user gets 46 months for shooting at police helicopter

Meths user gets 46 months for shooting at police helicopter

30-Jan-2012Source: Tickle The Wire

Originally indicted by a federal grand jury for firing at an in-flight police helicopter, Michael P. McMichael, of Oklahoma City, was slapped with 46 months in prison for being a habitual methamphetamine user unlawfully in possession of a firearm, the FBI announced on Wednesday. (see full story)... Read more

HE3 Helicopter off-airfield landing site operations published

HE3 Helicopter off-airfield landing site operations published

30-Jan-2012Source: EHEST

The helicopters ability to approach, manoeuvre, land and take-off from an off airfield Landing Site or unprepared Landing Site is one of the most important aspects of helicopters operations. The various landing sites such as hotels, golf courses, sporting venues, etc can vary in their dimensions, approaches, hazards, elevation, and location, the same basic principles... Read more

South African military reveals cause of A109LUH crashes

South African military reveals cause of A109LUH crashes

30-Jan-2012Source: defenceWeb

The three A109 Light Utility Helicopter crashes were caused by mechanical failure and pilot error, but all technical problems have been resolved, the chief of the South African Air Force has said. (see full story)... Read more

Helicopter awareness courses for safety reps to continue

Helicopter awareness courses for safety reps to continue

29-Jan-2012Source: Step Change In Safety

The popular Helicopter Safety Awareness Courses for Safety Representatives are to continue in 2012. Step Change’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group has given its support to continue these well received courses, which are open to offshore safety representatives and other personnel who would like to find out more about offshore flight operations and safety. The full-day events are run by... Read more

Families of 2 killed in R44 crash settle with Robinson

Families of 2 killed in R44 crash settle with Robinson

27-Jan-2012Source: Daily Breeze

“All I can say is justice was done,” said Los Angeles-based lawyer Kevin Boyle, who represented the widow and family of Leo Straatman, a passenger in the R44 that went down in May 2006 near Desert Center, Calif. (see full story)... Read more

Why Safety Management System in Maintenance?

Why Safety Management System in Maintenance?

27-Jan-2012Source: HAI

To find out the “Why,” attend the free four-hour “SMS in Maintenance Workshop with IA Credit” at HELI-EXPO 2012 on Tues., Feb. 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center. Since the concept of SMS in aviation was introduced almost a decade ago, much effort has been put into supporting the... Read more

NTSB completes data collection on experimental – amateur built aircraft accidents

NTSB completes data collection on experimental – amateur built aircraft accidents

26-Jan-2012Source: NTSB

Throughout the 2011 calendar year, the National Transportation Safety Board has been conducting a study of Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft to evaluate the safety of this growing and innovative segment of general aviation. In addition to using the information gathered during its accident investigations, the NTSB has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),... Read more

LAPD warns California realtors against use of photography drones

LAPD warns California realtors against use of photography drones

25-Jan-2012Source: CAR

Los Angeles authorities have asked C.A.R. to communicate this warning to REALTORS® who hire unmanned aircraft operators to take aerial photographs for marketing high-end properties. Using these devices (also known as drones) for flight in the air with no onboard pilot may violate, among other things, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) policy on unmanned aircrafts,... Read more

Bristow Captain selected for top helicopter safety association role

Bristow Captain selected for top helicopter safety association role

24-Jan-2012Source: Bristow Helicopters

Captain Tim Glasspool, Head of Flight Operations for the European Business Unit at Bristow Helicopters Ltd, has been appointed co-chairman of the Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG). Step Change in Safety is a UK based partnership with the goal of making the UK the safest oil and gas exploration and production... Read more

Family of Florida B206 crash victim sues charter company

Family of Florida B206 crash victim sues charter company

24-Jan-2012Source: News4Jax.com

The family of one of the men killed when a helicopter chartered by Mayo Clinic crashed last month in Clay County is suing the operator of the aircraft. The children of 57-year-old David Hines are suing SK Logistics for wrongful death. They’re also suing Abraham Holdings, the company that owned the helicopter.  (see full story)... Read more

US Army issues statement on Medevac issue

US Army issues statement on Medevac issue

22-Jan-2012Source: US Army

“Recent news items about the use of Army medical evacuation, or MEDEVAC, helicopters in Afghanistan contain troubling information. The reporting suggests that putting red crosses on MEDEVACs, and not arming them somehow, is putting injured Soldiers’ lives at risk. The facts do not support these assertions for several reasons. First, there is no evidence, implied... Read more

FAA Announces Safety Ratings for Curacao, Sint Maarten

FAA Announces Safety Ratings for Curacao, Sint Maarten

22-Jan-2012Source: FAA

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Curaçao and Sint Maarten do not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on an assessment of each country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the FAA has assigned both Curaçao and Sint Maarten an International... Read more

Capt Chesley Sullenberger to deliver keynote at CHC Safety & Quality Summit

Capt Chesley Sullenberger to deliver keynote at CHC Safety & Quality Summit

20-Jan-2012Source: CHC

He once masterfully landed an Airbus A320 passenger plane on the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people aboard the aircraft. In March, Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, an airline transport pilot, safety expert and accident investigator, will be the principal speaker at the eighth-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit Gala Dinner. Captain... Read more

Dave Huntzinger joins SMS instructors at Heli-Expo 2012

Dave Huntzinger joins SMS instructors at Heli-Expo 2012

19-Jan-2012Source: HAI

Dave Huntzinger, former vice president of Safety for Eurocopter, recently joined Professional Resources In System Management, LLC (PRISM) as senior vice president of Helicopter Aviation Services and the team of instructors for the Advanced Safety Management Systems (SMS) Course at HELI-EXPO 2012. Huntzinger teams with Guido Fuentes, PRISM’s safety program manager and HELI-EXPO veteran instructor,... Read more

India – HAL trashes DGCA crash investigation findings

India – HAL trashes DGCA crash investigation findings

18-Jan-2012Source: IBN

Hit by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s findings into the 2010 August Chetak crash, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) launched a strong defence terming some of the comments as “incorrect”. (see full story)... Read more

AAR Airlift reports accident in Afghanistan

AAR Airlift reports accident in Afghanistan

16-Jan-2012Source: AAR

AAR Airlift, an operating unit of Chicago based AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) reports that a helicopter carrying a crew of three employees was involved in an accident in Helmand Province, Afghanistan at approximately 10:45 a.m., local time, January 16, while conducting operations for the U.S. Department of Defense. The Company has confirmed that there were... Read more

PZL SW-4 crashes in Alaska on cold weather testing

PZL SW-4 crashes in Alaska on cold weather testing

16-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com

A Polish-built SW-4 helicopter crashed Sunday afternoon at Fairbanks International Airport while on cold weather testing.  The National Weather Service aftercast showed the temperature was -36, and while they failed to say whether that was Fahrenheit or Celsius, it actually makes very little difference as the two scales cross over at -40. On HeliHub.com every... Read more

Free Two-Day Event – PHPA / HAI / FAASTeam

Free Two-Day Event – PHPA / HAI / FAASTeam

13-Jan-2012Source: PHPA

The Helicopter Association International (HAI), FAASTeam & the PHPA invite you to a Landmark two day event: *The 3 THINGS you need to be COMPETITIVE in the ROTARY WING JOB MARKET. *What HAI can do for you – NOW *How the FAASTeam can make YOU MORE COMPETITIVE. *ACTIVE INDUSTRY PILOTS to help YOU STRATEGIZE YOUR WAY AHEAD. *LUNCH is Provided* TOPICS: Helicopter Employment,... Read more

CHC EC225 makes controlled emergency landing on North Sea platform

CHC EC225 makes controlled emergency landing on North Sea platform

13-Jan-2012Source: Statoil

A scheduled helicopter en route from the Deepsea Bergen drilling rig to Kristiansund made a controlled emergency landing on Ã…sgard B at 16.45 on Thursday afternoon. The incident happened when the helicopter alarm system alerted the pilots of loss of pressure in the left hydraulic system. After the landing, the helicopter came into motion due... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2012

UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2012

12-Jan-2012Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more

North Australian Helicopters owner trying to block CASA safety investigation

North Australian Helicopters owner trying to block CASA safety investigation

12-Jan-2012Source: The Australian

Milton Jones is going to the High Court to block air safety investigators from viewing uncut footage allegedly showing him piloting a helicopter after drinking alcohol, leaving children at an aircraft’s controls and unlawfully taking crocodile eggs from their nests. (see full story)... Read more

Helicopter makes emergency landing after patient tries to jump out

Helicopter makes emergency landing after patient tries to jump out

11-Jan-2012

A 26-year-old man who jumped from an SUV on Interstate 95 near Walterboro later tried to leap from the helicopter transporting him to the hospital Saturday evening, forcing the aircraft to land.   A LifeNet helicopter later started to transport Alveriz to Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston when he became combative with paramedics... Read more

FAA to form Air Tour Accreditation Working Group

FAA to form Air Tour Accreditation Working Group

8-Jan-2012Source: HAI

On Dec. 27, the FAA announced via the Federal Register the formation of a Commercial Air Tour Voluntary Accreditation Program Working Group under the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). The FAA is currently soliciting those with an expertise in commercial air tours to be members of this new working group – which has been tasked... Read more

Night-vision goggles causing neck problems in military pilots

Night-vision goggles causing neck problems in military pilots

6-Jan-2012Source: National Post

Most air crew on Canadian Forces Griffon helicopters suffer from sore necks, and a new study largely pins the blame on the bulky, image-intensifying night-vision goggles used on after-dark missions. (see full story)... Read more

FAA poised to enable police to use UAVs domestically

FAA poised to enable police to use UAVs domestically

6-Jan-2012Source: PRI

In January, the FAA is expected to issue new air space regulations allowing for the civilian use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Police departments are expected to be early and widespread users of the drones, but some are raising concerns about privacy. (see full story)... Read more

NTSB Preliminary Report – 26-Nov-11 N5016M Bell 206B

NTSB Preliminary Report – 26-Nov-11 N5016M Bell 206B

5-Jan-2012Source: NTSB

This is the text from the Preliminary Report.  By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On December 26, 2011, at 0554 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N5016M, operated by SK Logistics, d.b.a. SK... Read more

2012 Olympics pilot briefing event announced

2012 Olympics pilot briefing event announced

3-Jan-2012Source: CAA

To help pilots prepare for flying in south east England during the 2012 London Olympics the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), through the Airspace and Safety Initiative (ASI), have joined forces to host a free briefing day in central London on Saturday 10 March 2012. The event will... Read more

Second lawsuit filed in Las Vegas tour helicopter crash

Second lawsuit filed in Las Vegas tour helicopter crash

30-Dec-2011Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal

A second wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in a Nevada court against the Las Vegas-based operator of a sightseeing tour helicopter that crashed and killed five people earlier this month (see full story)... Read more

Selex Elsag to equip Danish AW101s with Laser Obstacle Avoidance & Monitoring

Selex Elsag to equip Danish AW101s with Laser Obstacle Avoidance & Monitoring

27-Dec-2011Source: Selex Elsag

SELEX Elsag, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded an important contract to supply the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization with 8 LOAM (Laser Obstacle Avoidance & Monitoring) systems to detect obstacles in the low altitude flights that will equip the Royal Danish Air Force EH-101 helicopter fleet in Tactical Transportation configuration. The job order... Read more

Engineering students work with Bell to make safer cockpit

Engineering students work with Bell to make safer cockpit

27-Dec-2011Source: Texas Christian University

Engineering students are getting real life career experience in their senior project for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, Tristan Tayag, professor of the engineering department, said. Bell propositioned half of the senior engineering class to create a heads-up display for a helicopter cockpit. Lauren Lueders, senior design project manager, said. The display would provide visual cues to... Read more

NEMSPA President issues letter

NEMSPA President issues letter

23-Dec-2011Source: NEMSPA

To: All NEMSPA Members, Corporate Partners, and All Others affiliated with Air Medical Transport. First, I want to say “Thank you” to our members and corporate partners for your involvement and commitment to safety in the HEMS industry and for your support of the National EMS Pilots Association. Second I want to express my sincere... Read more

UTair suspends Mi-26 operations

UTair suspends Mi-26 operations

23-Dec-2011Source: UTair

The world’s largest operator of helicopter Mi-26 Airline “UTair” (UTair Aviation) has suspended flights of its fleet of Mi-26 in Russia and abroad as of today. Helicopters will be carried out in-depth inspection of the tail extraordinary beams. The admission of helicopters for further operation will be determined for each aircraft individually on the basis... Read more

CHC Safety & Quality Summit 2012 – New Pre-Summit Course Announcement

CHC Safety & Quality Summit 2012 – New Pre-Summit Course Announcement

23-Dec-2011Source: CHC

We are pleased to announce the availability of a new pre-summit course: USC Helicopter Accident Investigation Course (This course is for credit and counts toward certificate/diploma with USC)  When: March 22-25, 2012 (4 days) Course Description: The course examines helicopter rotor systems, controls, performance variables, flight hazards and material characteristics involved in helicopter operations and accidents.  Although... Read more

911 dispatcher errors delayed response to fatal R22 crash

911 dispatcher errors delayed response to fatal R22 crash

21-Dec-2011Source: Guelph Mercury

Emergency dispatchers were so confused by a fatal helicopter crash at the Region of Waterloo International Airport last month that they tried to send the wrong firefighters from 23 kilometres away. (see full story) This refers to the following accident – 28-Nov-11 C-GVAR Robinson R22 Waterloo, Canada (1F)... Read more

US Army accepts 1000 laser detecting sets from Goodrich

US Army accepts 1000 laser detecting sets from Goodrich

20-Dec-2011Source: US Army

In a Connecticut industrial plant, far away from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, a system that has provided Soldiers with a great amount of protection reached a significant milestone on Dec. 7, which happened to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Army accepted the delivery of the 1,000... Read more

Eurosafety releases iPhone app for AS355N

Eurosafety releases iPhone app for AS355N

20-Dec-2011Source: Eurosafety

EuroSafetys iSafety App is ESI’s latest effort in their goal to improve airframe knowledge and safety in the helicopter community. The iSafety App is designed to provide a method to review caution panel emergency procedures from various aircraft. The first version of the app contains the caution panel procedures for the AS350B2, AS350B3, EC120B, EC130B4,... Read more

Innovation Directâ„¢ set to promote patented engine safety shield invention

Innovation Directâ„¢ set to promote patented engine safety shield invention

19-Dec-2011Source: Innovation Direct

An innovative new patented product designed to protect airplanes and helicopters from a potentially catastrophic situation, the Engine Safety Shield, has been developed by John Zunik of Brooklyn, New York. The invention’s unique design enables it to serve as a highly effective safety barrier for airplane and helicopter engines against birds and other airborne objects... Read more

FAASTeam Maintenance Safety Tip December 2011

FAASTeam Maintenance Safety Tip December 2011

17-Dec-2011Source: FAASTeam

Safety – Survival – Shivering – Yawning So what do these things have in common? Well, survivalists say that shivering is the first symptom you should look for if you suspect your buddy is falling victim to hypothermia.  If that person doesn’t get to a warmer place soon, they are likely to be in danger... Read more

Indian authorities ground two Pawan Hans pilots

Indian authorities ground two Pawan Hans pilots

15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

India’s aviation safety regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has grounded two Pawan Hans pilots pending an inquiry into an alleged safety lapse. The pilots were ferrying three oil workers on 10th December and made an unscheduled landing after realising when already airborne that a door of the helicopter was not securely shut.  Having... Read more

Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney

Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney

15-Dec-2011Source: Kansas City Star

The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Nevada on behalf of the families of a honeymooning couple from India killed in a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter crash that also took the lives of the pilot and a Kansas couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. (see full story)... Read more

Air Force safety magazine gets new website

Air Force safety magazine gets new website

15-Dec-2011Source: US Air Force

Wingman, the Air Force’s official quarterly safety magazine, has a new digital home. Readers can find the current and all future issues of Wingman atwww.wingmanmagazine.af.mil. Due to a Department of Defense initiative for organizations to find greater efficiencies, Air Force Safety Center officials transitioned to the online-only format. The Air Force Safety Center published its last hardcopy... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2011

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2011

15-Dec-2011Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters and this update is included in HeliHub.com for completeness.... Read more

Unmanned underwater vehicle finds 2003 helicopter wreckage

Unmanned underwater vehicle finds 2003 helicopter wreckage

14-Dec-2011Source: University Centre in Svalbard

A helicopter crashed and sank in Adventfjorden in December 2003, never to be seen again – until last week. An underwater robot was cruising at 70 meters depth to take images of the ocean floor for a UNIS research project, when it hit upon the remains of the helicopter. The helicopter crashed and sunk in... Read more

Judge: Sikorsky does not owe damages to PHi

Judge: Sikorsky does not owe damages to PHi

14-Dec-2011

A federal magistrate has refused to order Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to pay damages to another company for allegedly hiding an internal report about a fatal accident in January 2009 (see full story) See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 04-Jan-09 N748P Sikorsky S76C++ Gulf of Mexico, US-Gulf of Mexico (8F)... Read more

NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions

NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions

14-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The NTSB preliminary report cites the following factors which they evidently see as very important in this stage of their investigation (1) the impact location in a narrow ravine (2) the non-standard routing taken by the pilot (3) dusk light conditions Check out the details in the Preliminary report Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more

NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2

NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2

14-Dec-2011Source: NTSB

On December 7, 2011 at 1630 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, registration N37SH, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was a tourist sightseeing flight, which departed from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS), Las... Read more

AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programme deemed a success

AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programme deemed a success

13-Dec-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first two AW139 OGP Safety Advisors Training Programmes for the oil & gas safety advisors community in September and November 2011 have been hailed a success by those attending. This initiative, launched early this year, complements the oil & gas seminars that have been organised... Read more

FAA responds to ARSA letter concerning multiple part identification

FAA responds to ARSA letter concerning multiple part identification

12-Dec-2011Source: ARSA

In response to an ARSA request, the FAA will review agency policy and guidance regarding part identification when more than one number is applied to a part at production. In a Dec. 6, 2011 letter, FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division Manager Steven Douglas stated that the FAA, “[shares ARSA’s] concern that the presence of multiple part numbers may... Read more

Report: Sundance tour helicopter had engine work before crash

Report: Sundance tour helicopter had engine work before crash

11-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The Sundance Helicopters AS350 that went down just west of Lake Mead had its engine and other parts replaced the day before it crashed, killing five people, investigators revealed Friday.  Check out the NTSB press briefings:- early on Thursday 8th December 8pm on Thursday 8th December 5pm on Saturday 10th December William P Johnson –... Read more

Fatal California powerline accident leads to $10M jury award

Fatal California powerline accident leads to $10M jury award

11-Dec-2011

In November 2009, a Piasecki helicopter struck high tension wires shortly after departing from Adelanto airport as it headed for an airshow in Riverside, California.  The helicopter crashed and burned, and all three aboard were killed.  (see full story) See also HeliHub.com accident page – 07-Nov-09 N183YP Piasecki PV-18 Adelanto, US-California (3F)... Read more

NTSB to Hold Public Hearing on Air Race and Air Show Safety

NTSB to Hold Public Hearing on Air Race and Air Show Safety

11-Dec-2011Source: NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a hearing on air race and air show safety. The hearing will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, and all five Board members will participate. During the one-day meeting, the Board will gather information on the safety regulations and oversight in the planning and execution... Read more

NTSB Preliminary Report – 24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44

NTSB Preliminary Report – 24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44

11-Dec-2011Source: NTSB

This is the text from the Preliminary Report.  By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 24, 2011, approximately 1900 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N821JV, sustained substantial damage when... Read more

FAA boss suspended, then resigns

FAA boss suspended, then resigns

6-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com

FAA boss Randy Babbitt, 65, was stopped by police in Fairfax County, Virginia, on Saturday after allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road.  Hardly the behaviour of someone in charge of aviation safety, don’t you think?  Mr Babbitt was charged with driving while intoxicated, and yesterday made a request for an immediate leave... Read more

Zuccaro calls for working group on Public Use aircraft

Zuccaro calls for working group on Public Use aircraft

6-Dec-2011Source: HAI

The line between public use and civil aviation operations is currently so blurred, especially for contract operators, that the time has come to bring all the stakeholders together as a working group to provide clarity on the issue. That was the message HAI President Matt Zuccaro brought to the National Transportation Safety Board at its... Read more

CHC opens registration for Safety & Quality Summit 2012

CHC opens registration for Safety & Quality Summit 2012

2-Dec-2011Source: CHC

CHC Helicopter is pleased to announce that Registration for the 2012 CHC Safety & Quality Summit is now open! Our theme this year is: Improving Safety Culture Through Talent, Training and Trust. We have invited three world class speakers with expertise in each area:  Mr. Tom Casey, Dr. Tony Kern, and Mr. Stephen M.R. Covey... Read more

AAG retains industry’s highest safety rating

AAG retains industry’s highest safety rating

2-Dec-2011Source: AAG

Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), the nation’s premier executive helicopter company, has again passed the industry’s most rigorous safety audit and retained its designation as a Wyvern Standard approved helicopter operator. The safety audit was completed in October. AAG is a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., which is part of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). Wyvern has... Read more

Sandel ships first WireWatchâ„¢ wire alerting system

Sandel ships first WireWatchâ„¢ wire alerting system

30-Nov-2011Source: Sandel

Sandel Avionics has announced it has delivered its first production WireWatch wire alerting application to MSP Aero of Minneapolis, MN, for installation in a fleet of Agusta A109 helicopters operated by North Memorial Medical Center (NMMC) of Robbinsdale, MN. The industry’s first onboard wire-strike avoidance device, WireWatch, a proprietary feature of the Sandel HeliTAWSâ„¢ system,... Read more

Oil & Gas UK responds to report into fatal Bond AS332 accident

Oil & Gas UK responds to report into fatal Bond AS332 accident

29-Nov-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK

Oil & Gas UK welcomes the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published on November 24 on the tragic crash of helicopter Flight 85N  which took place off the Aberdeenshire coast on 1 April 2009. Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director, said: “With today’s publication of the report, we remember, first... Read more

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