29-Jun-2011Source: Hong Kong Civil Aviation Dept
In accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations, an inspector’s investigation is in progress to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident involving an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter (registration mark B-MHJ) operated by East Asia Airlines at Victoria Harbour on July 3, 2010. According to the requirements of Annex 13 to... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: TSB
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) gives Satisfactory Intent rating on responses to four recommendations stemming from its investigation into the 12 March 2009 Sikorsky S-92A helicopter crash. For helicopters certified in the future, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Canada (TC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have all agreed to review the certification rules. “But it... Read more
29-Jun-2011Source: HAI
On June 23, the FAA issued a proposal to clarify the use of seat belts and seating requirements of General Aviation flights pertaining to 14 CFR 91.107(a)(3). Prior interpretations of the law state that the shared use of a single restraint may be permissible. The proposed clarification states that the use of a seat belt... Read more
27-Jun-2011Source: NTSB
Top 10 critical changes needed to reduce transportation accidents and save lives The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today announced its new list of the most critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives. The new “Most Wanted List” highlights 10 safety issues that impact transportation nationwide. The announcement... Read more
24-Jun-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
23-Jun-2011Source: Lee County MedStar
Lee County, FL (June 22, 2011) – Lee County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) implemented a “stand down†of its MEDSTAR flight operations for a safety review at 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 22. MEDSTAR will resume operations at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1 with its recently acquired Bell 430 helicopter. Bayflite has agreed to relocate one... Read more
22-Jun-2011Source: Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins, in collaboration with multiple helicopter operators*, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Eurocontrol, and the Netherlands Civil Aviation Administration, recently completed an operational evaluation to successfully validate automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) out airworthiness requirements for helicopters operating over the North Sea. The multi-year project, of which Rockwell Collins was a leading participant,... Read more
15-Jun-2011Source: State of Colorado
DENVER — Monday, June 13, 2011 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today ordered flags be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide on Wednesday, June 15, in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth White, who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month. Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset. White, 35, died on June... Read more
12-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
In December 2009, Erickson Air-Crane announced that San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) company was their first non-governmental sale for the Air-Crane. In the last week this helicopter has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons with not one but two lifting incidents. Fortunately the helicopter was not damaged in either event, but the... Read more
10-Jun-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel, G-SEWP – 28 October 2010 Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland Robinson R44 II Raven, G-EEZR – 22 March 2011 – Fairoaks Airport, Surrey... Read more
10-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Mount Ebrus in the Caucasus Mountains in the southern part of Russia is the highest mountain in Europe. Yesterday it hosted the dubious honour of a double helicopter crash. Firstly a Robinson R44 on a tourist flight crashed at an altitude of 3,800 metres, reportedly due to poor visibility. The emergency authority EMERCOM sent a... Read more
9-Jun-2011Source: NEMSPA
In answer to the many questions regarding the FAA’s new heliport advisory circular rewrite efforts I would like to offer up the views of the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA). Given the huge impact and importance this particular advisory circular has on the entire helicopter industry and our community at every level and the fact... Read more
9-Jun-2011Source: Express Tribune
A five-member committee has been constituted to probe the helicopter crash that killed Major General Muhammad Nawaz, DG rangers Punjab. The committee will be headed by AVN Riazul Haq, deputy director general Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). See article in Express Tribune See also HeliHub.com page for this accident... Read more
8-Jun-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com has expanded its coverage of helicopter accidents and incidents with an index by helicopter type. The link to this page follows, and can be found in the Safety menu option. https://www.helihub.com/safety-data-by-helicopter-type/ This allows quick access of the accidents and incidents to a given make/model for the website user to review and draw conclusions. HeliHub.com... Read more
3-Jun-2011Source: CHC
When operating his AS332L Super Puma, a CHC pilot noticed something out of the ordinary. Upon selecting the landing gear down, his cockpit indicator said otherwise. Despite feeling and hearing the landing gear move into place, the indicators still showed one of the gears in the ‘up’ position. This was not the first time such... Read more
3-Jun-2011Source: FAA
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt announced today that the FAA will begin to impose civil penalties against people who point a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft. “Our top priority is protecting the safety of the traveling public. We will not hesitate to take tough action... Read more
2-Jun-2011Source: HAI
Helicopter Association International President Matt Zuccaro conveys the support of HAI and its members for recent FAA action to impose civil penalties upon individuals who point lasers at aircraft cockpits. “The helicopter industry is most susceptible to this safety hazard due to the lower altitude mission profiles we fly in both urban and rural locals. We are... Read more
1-Jun-2011Source: InfoNews
Over The Top have received safety award honours from HAI, annually since joining in 1999, this 2010 award being the twelfth year that Over The Top have been awarded this prestigious award. The only New Zealand Company to do so.... Read more
1-Jun-2011Source: Toronto Sun
An electrical problem caused a Quebecor news helicopter to lose power and crash near a Montreal movie studio in December 2009, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has found. TSB investigators said the circuit breaker that feeds the clutch system was activated during the flight, interrupting the power supply. See also HeliHub.com page for this... Read more
31-May-2011Source: Today's Zaman
A police helicopter that crashed into the waters of the Bosporus Strait last week might have been sabotaged, with the surviving pilot saying the engine and rotor of the aircraft experienced unusual vibration, which investigators say might have been caused by electromagnetic waves.... Read more
26-May-2011Source: Campbell Helicopters
ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA– – 54-year-old Jean-Luc Deba has been named as the deceased pilot who manned a Bell 212 helicopter from the Campbell Helicopters’ fleet in Abbotsford on Friday, May 20. The helicopter was engaged in battling the blazes in Canyon Creek, 24 kilometres west of Slave Lake Alberta. The helicopter went down in shallow... Read more
26-May-2011Source: HAI
On Thurs. June 9, 2011, HAI and the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) will be presenting two events at the Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn. Overview of Current Trends in Helicopter Safety Starting at 9:30 a.m. – Stan Rose, director of Safety for HAI; Fred Brisbois of Sikorsky and the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST); and William... Read more
25-May-2011
An investigation of a fatal helicopter crash in the mountains above Santa Fe nearly two years ago has found blame with both the pilot and the state police organization he worked for... Read more
24-May-2011Source: Star Advertiser
Metal fatigue probably caused a left rear landing skid strut to collapse on a helicopter operated by K&S Helicopters Inc. at the Turtle Bay Resort Heliport in 2009, according to a National Transportation Safety Board investigation. HeliHub.com accident report page at 20-Nov-09 N551CR MD Helicopters MD369E Oahu, US-Hawaii... Read more
24-May-2011Source: Thunder Bay Daily
A former Thunder Bay filmmaker seriously injured in a Pennsylvania helicopter crash has died. Greg Jacobsen, 33, passed away on the weekend after spending more than three weeks in intensive care in an Allentown, Pa. hospital following the April 30 accident.  HeliHub.com page for this accident is here. [File photo]... Read more
24-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
A fatal Turkish police SA318C Alouette II crash on Friday has raised a number of questions. The National Police Department Aviation Unit has launched an investigation into the crash, which occurred during a flight to examine Ä°stanbul’s city MOBESE security cameras, which are installed in many streets across the city. The four people killed in... Read more
24-May-2011Source: NTSB
WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)will hold a public Board meeting on Tuesday, May, 24, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT), in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center at 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W. (Please note the changes to the Board Room directions). There are two agenda items: 1.   On August 9, 2010, a... Read more
24-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
As a number of airlines including British Airways, Flybe and Loganair cancel flights, North Sea helicopter operators appear to be following suit. Bond Offshore Helicopters has already cancelled return flights for BP from Aberdeen to both “Well Enhancer” and “Island Constructor”, as well as another return flight for ConocoPhilips from Aberdeen to jackup rig “Ensco... Read more
20-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Initial reports from India on the Pawan Hans AS350B3 crash on 30th April are pointing to the aircraft being only VFR equipped and thus unable to handle IMC conditions. However, weather conditions were reportedly not conducive to VFR operations in the accident which claimed the lives of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and four... Read more
18-May-2011Source: Connecticut Post
Sikorsky Aircraft unit has been cited by Pentagon inspectors for a safety part defect, after two failures in four months on new Army and Navy H-60 Black Hawk helicopters, according to officials.  The failures occurred during acceptance testing before delivery, according to the DCMA... Read more
18-May-2011Source: OilVoice
Offshore helicopter services provider CHC Helicopter will share its experience of operating in the challenging North Sea oil and gas environment at a global rescue services conference in the Netherlands later this month.... Read more
18-May-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK
Oil & Gas UK is to host a one-day seminar with the aim of bringing together leading figures in the oil and gas and aviation industries to discuss offshore helicopter safety. The event, which is sponsored by Aker Solutions, is the sixth annual Aviation Seminar organised by Oil & Gas UK and will feature a... Read more
15-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for April 2011 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * Safety News April 2011 was a month with both good and bad... Read more
15-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for March 2011 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * Safety News March 2011 was a very poor month for the number... Read more
15-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for February 2011 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * Safety News February 2011 was another good month for helicopter accidents, likely... Read more
15-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for January 2011 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * Safety News January 2011 was another good month for helicopter accidents, likely... Read more
15-May-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
13-May-2011Source: HAI
HAI urges all pilots and maintenance professionals to read the FAA’s proposed legal interpretation on various provisions in the regulations applicable to airworthiness directives. Comments must be provided no later than Mon, May 16, 2011 through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov or in writing to: Docket Operations, M-30 U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.... Read more
10-May-2011Source: Valair
Valair have announced that Robinson’s Tim Tucker will be running the first Robinson Safety Course to be held in Switzerland. Scheduled for July 1-3, Robinson’s Chief Instructor will be conducting the course in English for up to 36 students. A minimum of 25 will ensure the course goes ahead. The course is priced at 790... Read more
10-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The team at HeliHub.com provide a record of as many helicopter accidents and incidents as we can. Inevitably this includes what we believe to be the full list of fatal helicopter accidents, and we are presenting here the summary for May 2011. We indicate the number of fatalities in the summary line with the number... Read more
9-May-2011Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is once again calling for nominations for its annual General Aviation Safety Award. The Award seeks to honour individuals and teams who, through skill and determination, have made a lasting contribution to GA flight safety. Whether it is a ’one off’ incident, or a lifetime of campaigning work, the... Read more
9-May-2011Source: FAA
Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt announced additional management changes and other actions today as part of the FAA’s comprehensive review of the air traffic control system. Three veteran FAA managers will be repositioned to assume oversight of critical air traffic roles: Walt Cochran will oversee Terminal Operations, where he will be responsible for all... Read more
6-May-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the launch of the annual OGP Aviation Safety Advisors Training Programme. This new initiative will provide aviation safety advisors from the Oil & Gas with a high level technical overview of the AW139 helicopter, training and support infrastructure, with the first event planned for September 2011 in... Read more
5-May-2011Source: DNA India
In the wake of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu’s death in the crash of an AS350B3 last week, the opposition BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has demanded that all helicopters belonging to the government-owned Pawan Hans be subjected to “thorough and rigid” inspection.... Read more
5-May-2011Source: Arizona Republic
The company sought dismissal, with its attorneys arguing that Arizona has almost no connection to the lawsuit and that the accident wreckage, aircraft records and accident witnesses are all believed to be located in Turkey in the custody of the national police.... Read more
4-May-2011Source: CHC
Does Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) have a role in Risk Assessment? FDM is a powerful safety tool that studies operational trends. When a concerning trend is noticed a Risk Assessment is done, addressing the trend before an incident occurs. For example, at one airfield, the FDM system recorded data that indicated helicopters were making turns... Read more
3-May-2011Source: Press & Journal
The partners of two crewmen killed in the April 2009 North Sea helicopter disaster are taking legal action worth more than £4million. Captain Paul Burnham, 31, and co-pilot Richard Menzies, 24, died along with 14 oil workers when their Super Puma helicopter crashed off Peterhead on its return from BP’s Miller platform.... Read more
2-May-2011Source: Assam Tribune
Assam Government has expressed its reservations on availing services of single-engine choppers for any of its future trips. Spokesperson Rockybul Hussain said that the State Government would now be “very cautious and selective” in chartering aircraft... Read more
1-May-2011Source: US Forest Service
The La Grande Airtanker Base is closed due to significant damage to various taxi routes including the apron. The Airtanker Base shall remain closed to all airtanker operations until repairs are completed. Forest and Regional Fire and Aviation staff consulted with the National Aviation staff prior to closing the Airtanker Base. A portion of the... Read more
1-May-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Media reports are saying that the Indian state of Meghalaya, in the north east of the country, have suspended Pawan Hans helicopter services in the state with immediate effect. This follows the crash of one of their Mi-17s on 19th April killing 17, and controversy surrounding one of their new AS350B3s which was reported missing... Read more
29-Apr-2011Source: World Food Programme
The rising demand on the Helicopter Sector as being one of the safest, fastest and most versatile transportation method, improving the safety standards where practical is an urge and responding to that the World Food programme Aviation Safety Unite – Sharjah office and as a continuing effort to improve safety standard is organizing: WFP Helicopter... Read more
28-Apr-2011Source: Orlando Sentinel
Jason Dennis McGuire, 27, was convicted on charges of attempted destruction of an aircraft, possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, and for using a firearm during a violent crime.... Read more
28-Apr-2011Source: CNN
“The Federal Aviation Administration is well aware that air traffic controllers have been falling asleep every week at each and every air traffic control facility in the nation for at least 30 years — and they still are.” reports CNN... Read more
26-Apr-2011Source: Domain-B
Under the spotlight, state-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL), has rubbished allegations made by the Arunachal Pradesh state government about the airworthiness of its fleet.... Read more
26-Apr-2011Source: Indian Press Information Bureau
The Government has appointed a Committee of Inquiry headed by Air Marshal (Retd.) P.P. Rajkumar to Inquire into the circumstances of accident of Pawan Hans helicopter at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on April 19, 2011. The Committee comprises following members: Air Commodore (Retd.) Rai Krishan             – Member Wing Commander (Retd.) Rabinder Singh     – Member Shri... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: FAA
The FAA Aeronautical Information Management group (AIM) is hosting a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Industry Day. NOTAM Industry Day is an event where AIM shares the latest modernization efforts in aeronautical information. There will be a variety of presenters and time will be given for questions and answers to highlight the progress in modernizing the NOTAM... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: US Dept of Homeland Security
(April 20) Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today will announce the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)—a robust terrorism advisory system that provides timely information to the public about credible terrorist threats and replaces the former color-coded alert system. As part of today’s announcement, Secretary Napolitano will... Read more
25-Apr-2011Source: LA Times
Los Angeles Police Department is investigating reports that a police helicopter struck by gunfire Sunday morning was fired on by more than one group of suspects.... Read more
23-Apr-2011Source: FAA
GA pilots know that a proper preflight is always a crucial part of a safe flight. But, for many pilots the preflight inspection cliché of “kick the tires and light the fires†is a difficult one to shake. There is the strong tendency to fall victim to complacency, especially when dealing with an aircraft you... Read more
21-Apr-2011Source: HAI
HAI is co-sponsoring the NBAA North East Safety Symposium Thurs., May 19 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at TAC Air in Windsor Locks, Conn. The safety program is geared toward Airports, FBOs and Helicopter crews. Hear professionals discuss: WILDLIFE STRIKE AVOIDANCE and WILDLIFE MITIGATION RAMP and FBO SAFETY MISSION SAFETY AIRCRAFT INTERDICTION Presentations will be made... Read more
20-Apr-2011Source: NOIA
Washington, DC – Bristow Group was awarded the 2011 National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) Safety in Seas Award today, recognizing their outstanding contribution to the safety of life offshore for energy workers through their “Target Zero†program of training and safety tracking. Bristow’s award-winning nomination was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges from the... Read more
20-Apr-2011Source: Helitech
The latest European safety requirements for helicopter operators is just one of the high profile topics that will come under the microscope at Helitech’s conference this year. Helitech 2011 takes place at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, near Cambridge, from 27 to 29 Sept. The Helitech Conference, which is new for 2011, will take... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Oil & Gas UK
The oil and gas industry has underlined its ongoing commitment to offshore helicopter safety, with the launch of a new publication. Oil & Gas UK’s ‘Guidelines for the Management of Aviation Operations’ has been revised and updated to improve awareness of helicopter issues for those whose jobs require a comprehensive technical or logistical understanding. The... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Telvent
Telvent have announced a free webinar on new advanced weather alerting capabilities for European helicopter operators. The online seminar is scheduled for 26th May at 15:00 CEST / 14:00 London, and is targeted at 30 minutes with a 10 minute Q&A session. In their promotional material, Telvent tells us that “weather is the single factor... Read more
18-Apr-2011Source: Surf Muhlenberg
PHI Air Medical announced a community-wide effort to educate and raise public awareness for alcohol abuse and drunk driving as a part of Alcohol Awareness month. The campaign is called, “You Drink. You Drive. We Fly.”... Read more
16-Apr-2011Source: Kent Police
A 21-year-old Maidstone man has been sentenced to eight months in prison for endangering the Kent and Essex Police helicopter while it was on a task in Maidstone last year. On the evening of 24 June 2010 the police helicopter was carrying out a search in the town centre when someone shining a laser pen in the... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: Hawaii News Now
Sunshine helicopters fly around Maui up to 20 times a day. It’s one of Hawaii’s busiest helicopter tour companies. Recently, the FAA picked Sunshine to take part in a landmark program called “safety management system” or SMS.... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: Miami Herald
A helicopter pilot’s failure to see a power line during a deer survey was the probable cause of a fatal crash in the Sierra foothills last year that killed four people, the National Transportation Safety Board reported.  See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 05-Jan-10 N5016U Bell B206 nr Redinger Lake, US-California (4F) Drugs... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: Baltimore Sun
In its latest filing, the federal government says the pilot failed to properly assess the risk of landing the helicopter and executing an approach to the base’s runway, and that he attempted to descend too quickly.... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: HAI
HAI presents the “Overview of Current Trends in Helicopter Safety”seminar in Anchorage, Alaska, on April 29. HAI Director of Safety, Stan Rose, will speak at a combined event for pilots and maintaince technicians for commerical and General Aviation operations. Fred Brisbois, of Sikorsky and the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), will present safety discussions on hazard identification and... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- Robinson R44 Raven II, G-ODHB – 5 December 2010 at Staverton Airfield, Gloucestershire Robinson R22 Beta, G-HRBS Correction – 28 September 2010 at Goodwood Schweizer 269C-1, G-LINX Addendum – 22 September 2009 near Stalmine, Lancashire... Read more
15-Apr-2011
Cattleman, Duane Fishlock died instantly when his Robinson helicopter struck powerlines at the Mataranka sports ground and crashed. The only passenger, 20 year old Sam Webb, survived but was seriously injured.- full story [file photo]... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: US Dept of Justice
PHILADELPHIA – James Gautieri, 54, of Williamsport, PA, was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for interference with an aircraft or aircraft facilities, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Gautieri was convicted at trial on September 30, 2010 of his involvement in an April 30, 2008 incident during which he shined a laser... Read more
15-Apr-2011Source: FAA
Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused the traveling public to question our ability to ensure their safety. This conduct must stop immediately. I am committed to maintaining the highest level of public confidence and that begins with strong... Read more
13-Apr-2011Source: 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