The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident of:- * Robinson R22B G-RIDL at Macclesfield, Cheshire on 15 November 2009 * Robinson R22B G-NWDC at Londonderry Eglinton Airfield on 8 August 2010 * Schweizer 269CBi G-LINX at Stalmine, Lancashire on 22 September 2009
Source: AAIB, 13-Dec-10
In any type of rollover accident, the transmission can puncture the fuel tank. The fix is simple: instead of using a rigid fuel tank, use a soft bladder tank that won’t rupture.
Source: Aviation Law Monitor, 13-Dec-10
NTSB raised questions about a pilot’s decision to fly the rescue mission and whether the pilot was overworked before starting the mission, and it disclosed he was taking prescription medication for depression. Helihub.com accident report here
Source: Star Tribune, 13-Dec-10
Carson Helicopters has been an active participant in the NTSB investigation of the Weaverville crash of N612AZ and as such has not commented publicly during the investigation due to regulatory prohibitions. We have a strong commitment to all the people affected by this tragic accident and to current flight operators of the S61 helicopter to… Read more »
Source: Carson Helicopters, 12-Dec-10
Judge Laurel A. Beatty sentenced Shapiro to 20 days in jail and 100 hours of community service.
Source: Columbus Dispatch, 12-Dec-10
The pilot of the 12-year-old 500E sold last year to Versatile Helicopters, of Chemainus, British Columbia, was forced to make an emergency landing following engine failure, the company said in court papers filed yesterday in U.S. District Court.
Source: Columbus Dispatch, 11-Dec-10
William “Bill” Coultas of Cave Junction says the NTSB ignored his written and oral testimony that loss of power in an engine caused the crash of the S61
Source: Mercury News, 11-Dec-10
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD Public Meeting of December 7, 2010 (Information subject to editing) Aircraft Accident Report Crash During Takeoff of Carson Helicopters, Inc., Firefighting Helicopter Under Contract to the U.S. Forest Service, Sikorsky S-61N, N612AZ Near Weaverville, California August 5, 2008 NTSB/AAR-10/06 Stay Connected Receive Press releases by e-mail Subscribe to our RSS feeds This is… Read more »
Source: NTSB, 10-Dec-10
As the temperatures in Florida plummet, so helicopters are called in to fly low level over fields to minimise the chance of frost ruining the crop. Sadly, these operations brought no fewer than three casualties in one County earlier today. Robinson R44 N666SL clipped a post at Palm Beach Glades County Airport, Pahokee around 2am… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Dec-10
The NTSB stated that Carson Helicopters deliberately withheld information on the aircraft’s safety specifications. Those actions “included the intentional alteration of weight documents and performance charts and the use of unapproved performance calculations”
Source: KDRV, 08-Dec-10
Kevin Wayne Foster, 39, of Shasta Lake, and a 16-year-old teen were booked into the Shasta County jail Monday evening after Sheriff’s Department officials said they had flashed a green laser at a CHP helicopter.
Source: KRCR, 08-Dec-10
The helicopter, which was found very recently, had disappeared in July 1965 around Buta, in north-eastern Congo.
Source: LeVif, 06-Dec-10
Michael Anthony Fowler is accused of violating a Florida law prohibiting the intentional focusing of lasers on moving aircraft
Source: Miami Herald, 06-Dec-10
Kansas City police pulled over a pickup truck Wednesday night after a passenger aimed a green laser at the police helicopter, temporarily blinding the pilot.
Source: Kansas City Star, 06-Dec-10
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 October 2010 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * 2009 Annual Review of Fatal Accidents * Safety News October 2010 was… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Dec-10
The placement of a mounted gun at the main door of a Chinook helicopter brought down by enemy fire Afghanistan in August impeded the exit of personnel after landing (see HeliHub.com report of accident)
Source: Vancouver Sun, 04-Dec-10
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Tuesday, December 7, at 9:30 a.m., in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. There is one item on the agenda. The Board will consider a final report on the following accident: On August 5, 2008, a Sikorsky… Read more »
Source: NTSB, 03-Dec-10
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Mexico complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of a November FAA review of Mexico’s civil aviation authority. Under the leadership of Secretary Juan Molinar and Director General Hector Gonzalez… Read more »
Source: FAA, 02-Dec-10
The pair, Uday M. Warekar (33) and Palraj Thevar (38), were working for Air Works Engineering, the company in-charge of maintaining Anil Ambani Group’s Bell-412
Source: Sify, 01-Dec-10
US and European regulators say a new and improved main gearbox mounting structure for the Sikorsky S-92A continues to exhibit the cracking problems that plagued an earlier design
Source: Flightglobal, 01-Dec-10
The incident spurred an investigation by USU police after the flight crew reported seeing the light originate somewhere near the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Oct. 3.
Source: Herald Journal, 29-Nov-10
David H. Hopwood, 35, of the 7000-block of Bristol Place in Sykesville was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and prohibited use of a laser pointer.
Source: Eldersburg Patch, 25-Nov-10
A Martin County Sheriff’s Office helicopter pilot encountered an unexpected obstacle in the sky just after midnight. The aviation unit was on patrol in Jensen Beach when a laser illuminated the cockpit, according to the sheriff’s office.
Source: WPTV, 25-Nov-10
The National Transportation Safety Board today released a final report on a fatal crash involving a transport-category helicopter caused by a bird strike. The Board said the lack of requirements for bird strike-resistant windshields contributed to the crash, and called on the FAA to develop such requirements. On January 4, 2009, a dual-engine Sikorsky S-76C++… Read more »
Source: NTSB, 25-Nov-10
Polk County deputies have arrested a Lakeland man for reportedly shining a laser into the cockpit of a sheriff’s helicopter and temporarily blinding the pilot.
Source: Miami Herald, 24-Nov-10
Fort Worth, TX (PRWEB) November 22, 2010 – Curt Lewis & Associates (CL&A), LLC, announces continued and expanded services to the helicopter community. Current trends in the helicopter industry, especially the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) indicates there is a necessity and need to provide safety training and consultation. Curt Lewis & Associates recent endeavors… Read more »
Source: Curt Lewis & Associates, 23-Nov-10
HAI President Matt Zuccaro, and HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose, welcomed the opportunity to discuss safety initiatives with two leading FAA representatives while exhibiting at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Summit in Long Beach, California. Zuccaro and Rose were able to discuss the HAI and FAA mutual goal of enhancing safety… Read more »
Source: HAI, 22-Nov-10
The union representing oil workers on the Hibernia and Terra Nova offshore oil platforms is calling for speedy adoption of all of recommendations in the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry report released yesterday. “We are especially pleased with the call for an independent safety regulator,” says Chuck Shewfelt, the Atlantic Regional Vice-President of the Communications, Energy… Read more »
Source: CEP-SCEP, 19-Nov-10
Critics have accused the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board of a conflict of interest because it is tasked with developing offshore resources to the maximum extent while also protecting workers and the environment.
Source: Toronto Star, 19-Nov-10
The number of cases of pilots being dazzled by laser pens increased across the UK to 737 in 2009 compared with just 29 in 2007.
19-Nov-10
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) received the Report of the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry today and is releasing it to the public immediately. “On behalf of the Board, I thank Commissioner Robert Wells, commission counsel and the staff of the commission for their work during the course of Phase I of the… Read more »
Source: C-NLOPB, 18-Nov-10
John Quadrio claimed he was stood down by the tour operator he was working for, after the CASA charged him with eight aviation offences, including reckless and low flying and performing aerobatic manoeuvres.
17-Nov-10
Accident report on HeliHub.com of this 7th July 2010 accident is here
Source: Seattle Times, 16-Nov-10
The jury found McGuire guilty of all three charges he faced: attempted destruction of an aircraft, using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime, and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. He will be sentenced Feb. 4.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, 16-Nov-10
WIESBADEN, Germany — Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the Feb. 3 Army helicopter crash that killed three U.S. soldiers near Mannheim, Germany, but revealed several miscues made by the unit and the flight crew before takeoff. The purpose of the ill-fated UH-60 flight, dubbed Duke 27, was to conduct pilot proficiency training,… Read more »
Source: US Army Europe, 16-Nov-10
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced two charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft – not only the helicopter but also a Boeing 737 of airline Jet2.
Source: BBC, 15-Nov-10
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident of:- Eurocopter AS365N, G-HEMS at Thornaby, Teesside on 17 June 2010
Source: AAIB, 13-Nov-10
McGuire, 27, is accused of shooting at an Orange County sheriff’s helicopter March 21 outside his home on Pacific Heights Circle.
Source: Orlando Sentinal, 11-Nov-10
HeliHub.com is having great success with its “Gallery†feature, recording over 4,000 images and increasing at a rate of approximately 350 per month The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and the early success is demonstrating just how valuable this will become over time. HeliHub.com plans to utilise… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Nov-10
Join helicopter firefighting operators under contract to the U.S. Forest Service or Department of the Interior and attend HAI’s 3rd Annual Fall Government Contracting Committee meeting and Firefighting Safety Forum in Boise, Idaho, November 17th and 18th – sponsorship opportunities are available! Attendees will have the opportunity to sit in on the Government Contracting Committee’s… Read more »
Source: HAI, 09-Nov-10
Latvian helicopter company GM Helicopters has confirmed that three of its crew have been kidnapped in Sudan. The company is currently in contact with the Latvian Foreign Ministry.
Source: Baltic Course, 08-Nov-10
Pilots union files complaint against INAER, the company that owns the helicopter which died 3 coastguards after it plunged into the sea in January, for alleged “breach of its obligations” in crew training, which “directly contributed to errors in the operation”.
Source: The Reader, 05-Nov-10
Lawyers said Mr Mull’s family was suing Rotorway International Australia, its director Kevin Lunn and two American-based companies, Rotorway Global and Cobb International
03-Nov-10
The National Transportation Safety Board’s course, “Transportation Disaster Response – A Course for Emergency Responders,” scheduled for November 16-18, 2010, at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, still has openings for those who may have a role in responding to major transportation accidents. NTSB specialists and speakers from the FBI, the New Jersey State… Read more »
Source: NTSB, 02-Nov-10
Last Friday in the morning, two military helicopters were hit by a laser beam above Vevey. Based on indications of crews, Vaud cantonal police could identify and question the author. He has been charged.
Source: 24 Heures, 01-Nov-10
An education campaign, aimed at reducing the number of airspace infringements, has been launched by the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI), the broad-based coalition tasked with tackling UK airspace safety risks. Information packs, containing listening squawk information cards, radio best practice kneepads, magazines and interactive CDs, are being sent to all flying schools in the… Read more »
Source: CAA, 30-Oct-10
Cougar launched the lawsuit in June against both Sikorsky and its subsidiary Helicopter Services Inc. (HSI), but has recently served notice it was discontinuing the civil action against HSI.
Source: The Telegram, 28-Oct-10
This article follows the accident of R44 D-HMMB (see HeliHub.com accident page) which has left successful 21-year old singer Anna-Maria Zimmermann in a coma. Her official website is at http://www.annamariazimmermann.de. An English translation of the German article can be found here
Source: Westfalen-Blatt, 28-Oct-10
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 September 2010 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * 2009 Annual Review of Fatal Accidents * Safety News September 2010 was… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Oct-10
Inquiry commissioner Robert Wells is expected to report by Friday to the federal-provincial board that regulates oil activity offshore. But it’s up to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board to make those findings public.
Source: Winnepeg Free Press, 27-Oct-10
The MoD have accepted liability, but the exact settlement has yet to be decided. The men are suing for “injury, loss and damage”. The accident happened in August 2007 during low-level flight near the Army’s Catterick base.
Source: Daily Record, 26-Oct-10
The Togolese Government is reported to have demanded compensation from the Sierra Leone government for their 21 citizens who lost their lives
Source: Sierra Express Media, 26-Oct-10
A man has been arrested after a green laser was shone at a police helicopter which was responding to a burglary in Berkshire at the weekend.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-11621898, 26-Oct-10
Nathan Ramon Wells, 19, aimed the laser at the aircraft in June 2009. Along with the prison time, he will also be placed on supervised released for three years when he completes the sentence.
Source: LA Times, 26-Oct-10
Transport Accident Investigation Commission air accident investigator Peter Williams said there was no evidence that the model was to blame in the recent fatal accident referred to in the article
Source: NZ Herald, 25-Oct-10
On Thursday, Oct. 21 BAE Systems unveiled new technology that protects military helicopters from infrared-guided missiles and announced its U.S. light tactical vehicle strategy to include an update on its Valanx JLTV offering for the U.S. Army as well as a new HMMWV Recap offering. During the briefing, BAE Systems officials also highlighted the array… Read more »
Source: BAE Systems, 25-Oct-10
Plaintiffs’ attorneys and a lawyer for PHI Inc. said Thursday that confidential terms of the settlements will be filed. see also Accident report on HeliHub.com
Source: Statesman, 22-Oct-10
About 1 a.m. yesterday, Kellough was following a burglary suspect on the West Side when laser light struck his eyes. He said he sharply steered the helicopter away from the light, but not before his co-pilot was also temporarily blinded.
Source: Columbus Dispatch, 22-Oct-10
There was real smoke and a make-believe helicopter crash atop St. Patrick Hospital Tuesday morning.
Source: Misosulian, 21-Oct-10
Helicopter Association International’s mission is to advance the helicopter as a safe, effective method of commerce. That mission charges each of us to commit ourselves to promoting the highest level of safety and efficiency. This culture of professionalism is nurtured when we encourage and recognize outstanding achievement and contributions made by individuals and organizations. Each… Read more »
Source: HAI, 21-Oct-10
Robert Paterson, industry body Oil and Gas UK’s health, safety and employment issues director, said: “Everyone in the oil and gas industry really appreciates the work Bob put in to make these safety improvements actually happen.”
Source: BBC, 21-Oct-10
HAI President Matt Zuccaro is to speak at the Greater St. Louis Helicopter Association Annual Helicopter Safety Seminar on Saturday, October 23, 2010.  Registration is at 8:00 a.m. with the program running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Topics Include; FAA Enforcement, Airworthiness, Flight Safety, and Other Safety-Related Topics. To print a flyer for the… Read more »
Source: HAI, 21-Oct-10
Lawyers for Cougar Helicopters and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. were in court Monday to debate a procedural issue in Cougar’s $27-million lawsuit against the U.S. helicopter manufacturer.
Source: The Telegram, 20-Oct-10
A Jensen Beach teenager was arrested after he shined a laser light at a Martin County Sheriff’s Office helicopter early Saturday morning, authorities said.
Source: WPBF, 19-Oct-10
The emergency landing of the Apache at Woodlands last month was caused by corroded valves in the aircraft’s engines. Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean revealed the outcome of the investigations into the incident in Parliament on Monday.
Source: Straits Times, 18-Oct-10
The four hazards identified include unexpected encounters with a degraded visual environment; getting into a “vortex ring state”; loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE); and static and dynamic rollover.
Source: Flightglobal, 17-Oct-10
The Royal Jubilee helipad closed Sept. 13 for upgrades that included moving nearby car-parking spaces and instal-ling improved approach lights. The upgrades were recommended in a 2009 Transport Canada audit.
Source: Times Colonist, 17-Oct-10
A Philadelphia teenager was convicted Thursday in Family Court of shining a laser pointer into the cockpit of a city police helicopter, temporarily blinding the pilot.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, 16-Oct-10
Someone flashed a green laser at the cockpit of a Stat MedEvac helicopter as it flew over North Huntingdon early Thursday morning, initiating a police search for the culprit.
Source: Pittsburgh Live, 15-Oct-10
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident of:- AgustaWestland AW139, G-CHCV 65 nm NE of North Denes HP on 23 December 2008
Source: AAIB, 14-Oct-10
Grand Prairie, TX – American Eurocopter is proud to announce that Travis County’s STARFlight program has been selected to receive the fourth annual Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award. STARFlight was chosen for its investment and proactive accomplishments in training and safety initiatives throughout the organization. As part of the award, American Eurocopter presented the program… Read more »
Source: American Eurocopter, 13-Oct-10
Federal investigators probing a helicopter crash that killed seven firefighters during a California blaze have uncovered widespread violations and falsified records
Source: USA Today, 12-Oct-10
The analysis, by the IHST’s European branch – the European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST) – reveals that there is as yet no real sign of progress towards the IHST’s ultimate objective of an 80% reduction in helicopter accidents by 2016.
Source: Flightglobal, 11-Oct-10
At the International Helicopter Safety Symposium in Cascais, Portugal, HAI President Matt Zuccaro, as Co-Chair of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), served as Moderator for the historic signing of a “Call to Action by and for Offshore Helicopter Operators” letter in support of the IHST and its mission to reduce helicopter accidents by 80… Read more »
Source: HAI, 11-Oct-10
PHI Air Medical of Indiana says it has already been recognized for its safety practices, including Night Vision technology, Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems and extensive pilot and crew training.
Source: WIBC, 10-Oct-10
