The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2019. This is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we trust many of our readers will take time to consider what that means to the world, perhaps through attending a church… Read more »
25-Dec-18
The world’s four leading helicopter manufacturers have agreed plans for the implementation of enhancements to their Helicopter Terrain Avoidance and Warning Systems (HTAWS). At a recent meeting organised by HeliOffshore, senior representatives from Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo Helicopters, Sikorsky and avionics manufacturer Honeywell met with officials from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the UK… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 14-Dec-18
Offshore helicopter flights are just part of a very broad range of engineering support services provided by Babcock International Group. These also include decommissioning nuclear sites, building warships, and maintaining railway infrastructure and powerlines. A key common theme between these safety critical activities is that they are conducted in highly regulated environments. David Plester, managing… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 07-Dec-18
Last week, two air accidents took place within a span of three days which resulted in killing three crews and injuring three others. A Let L-410UVP-E20 aircraft belonging to Summit Air (Goma Air) crashed when it attempted to land on runway 06 at Lukla-Tenzing-Hillary Airport airstrip in Nepal on May 28 killing two cockpit crews… Read more »
Source: Aviation Nepal, 03-Dec-18
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) looked at 10 years of helicopter operations data from Jan. 2009 through 2018 and compared the share of flight hours of every industry type with the percentage share of total accidents and fatal accidents. During this period, U.S. civil helicopters flew more than 31 million flight hours and experienced… Read more »
Source: USHST, 20-Nov-18
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Cessna 152 (G-WACG) and Guimbal Cabri G2 (G-JAMM), mid-air collision, Near Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, 17 November 2017 Rotorway Executive 90 (G-BZES), loss of control while inadvertently descending downwind, Fenland Airfield, Lincolnshire, 1 July 2018
Source: AAIB, 12-Nov-18
The 2018 Symposium, 4th – 5th December 2018, will feature about 30 presentations on the latest developments in the rotorcraft industry with a strong focus on Safety. EASA will present the main elements of the future Rotorcraft Strategic Safety Roadmap. Join and engage with about 300 participants across the industry on: How can technologies help… Read more »
Source: EASA, 06-Nov-18
The International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) has initiated its fourth annual survey of civil helicopter operators located in key regions around the world in order to gain a broader understanding of where safety initiatives are being implemented. A link to the survey form can be found on the IHST web site: http://ihst.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2593 The IHST’s worldwide… Read more »
Source: IHST, 02-Nov-18
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AS350 B3e (G-MATH), loss of control during hydraulics-off training, Wycombe Air Park, Buckinghamshire, 5 May 2017 Robinson R44 (G-CTFL) and Robinson R44 (G-HYND), loss of control to G-CFTL after reversing into G-HYND’s main rotor, Cumbernauld Airport, North Lanarkshire,… Read more »
Source: AAIB, 11-Oct-18
The new HeliOffshore Safety Intelligence Programme (HSIP) is giving the offshore helicopter industry a clear picture of its safety performance, delivering a growing volume of frontline data that supports all aspects of HeliOffshore’s collaborative work to avoid accidents. Data is already being submitted by operators accounting for more than 80% of aircraft in the combined… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 05-Oct-18
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
Source: AAIB, 13-Sep-18
The new HeliOffshore Safety Intelligence Programme (HSIP) is already delivering significant volumes of operational data from frontline offshore helicopter operations around the world. As the scope of the programme is expanded, it has the potential to generate a wide range of data that supports and validates multiple aspects of HeliOffshore’s work to enhance safety. To… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 17-Aug-18
The families of the two Texas Army National guard chief warrant officers who died in a 2016 crash are suing Boeing. The officers, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dustin Lee Mortenson and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lucas Maurice Lowe, were flying an AH-64D on December 28. The families are suing Boeing for an unspecified amount of… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Aug-18
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky S-92A (G-CHHF), nose landing gear failed to lower on approach to Scatsta Airport, Shetland, 29 January 2018
Source: AAIB, 15-Aug-18
It seems a long time ago. On 29th April 2016, the Main Rotor Head and mast suddenly detached from an Airbus Helicopters H225 flying from Gullfaks B to Bergen Airport Flesland. The helicopter impacted on a small island east of Turøy. As the final accident report is published our thoughts have to be with the… Read more »
Source: Allan Blake, 10-Aug-18
The following statement, issued by Era Group to the US Securities & Exchange Commission (original here), states that Airbus has agreed a $42 Million payout to Era relating to the operators purchase of eleven H225s. “On July 3, 2018, Era Group Inc. (the “Company”) and Era Helicopters, LLC (together with the Company “Era”), entered into… Read more »
Source: Era Group, 10-Jul-18
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R22 Beta (G-JKAT), heavy landing, Shobdon Aerodrome, Herefordshire, 20 April 2018
Source: AAIB, 10-Jul-18
Guardian Flight Inc. appointed Steve Kelly Director of Safety for the leading air medical transport company. As a member of the Executive Management Team, Kelly reports to Fred Buttrell, Guardian Flight President and President and CEO of Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), which is Guardian Flight’s parent company. Kelly is based in the company’s… Read more »
Source: Guardian Flight, 29-Jun-18
It is a widely held view that the H225 (and AS332L2) has no future in the offshore oil and gas market after a “perfect storm” of two key factors which grounded the type from civilian operations worldwide. HeliHub.com estimates 126 H225s and AS332L2s are currently in storage around the world, as well as eight Sikorsky… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Jun-18
Leading companies and stakeholders in the offshore oil industry are more united than ever before in their resolve to enhance safety. In a new video filmed at HeliOffshore’s recent annual conference, senior leaders from operators, oil companies, manufacturers and leasing companies explain how the path is clear to implementing safety improvements that can save lives. The… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 25-Jun-18
The European Union’s new Commission Regulation 2016/1119, which takes effect from 1st July, 2018, formally recognises the safety benefits of Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) by requiring European operators to install approved equipment and adopt approved procedures for using it. These specific requirements take effect from 1st January, 2019. In fact, many operators are already using HUMS… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 18-Jun-18
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AW109SP (G-IWFC), incorrectly latched engine cowl, Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, 27 November 2017
Source: AAIB, 10-Jun-18
HeliOffshore has released a series of new videos showing how the implementation of key safety programmes can enhance the safety of offshore helicopter operations. The new videos show how HeliOffshore members are seeking to further support frontline safety by adopting three key programmes championed by the global offshore safety association’s Operational Effectiveness workstream: Approach Path… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 06-Jun-18
BRS Aerospace is developing vehicle recovery systems technology that will allow electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to reach safety levels equivalent to standards established in the automotive industry. BRS Aerospace shared its existing whole aircraft recovery parachute technology with participants at the urban aviation summit, which discussed the future of air mobility in largely… Read more »
Source: BRS Aerospace, 23-May-18
CHC Helicopter today announced the official opening of early bird registration for its signature aviation safety event, the annual CHC Safety and Quality Summit. From May 1 through May 31, interested delegates will have the opportunity to register for this year’s event at a discounted early bird rate of $1085 (USD). After May 31, the… Read more »
Source: CHC, 10-May-18
Senior leaders from the offshore oil and gas industry have reconfirmed their commitment to driving up safety performance, agreeing to press hard for comprehensive implementation of safety priorities that will have the most potential to save lives in helicopter operations. These safety priorities include activities such as sharing and jointly analysing operational data through the… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 10-May-18
Ausgrid crews are beginning annual helicopter patrols this week to inspect the electricity network for any potential bushfire hazards. This year two helicopters will be used to inspect areas of our network in bushfire prone parts of Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter. Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer Trevor Armstrong said the flights are the… Read more »
Source: Ausgrid, 16-Apr-18
Helicopter Lines has had to undergo a review of their safety processes, after four crashes in the span of three years. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has requested that the company undergo this procedure with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that their safety assurance and risk management were in order, reports ODT.
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Apr-18
Guardian Flight has engaged Baldwin Safety & Compliance as a resource for the leading critical care air medical transport company’s safety system needs. Baldwin Safety & Compliance, headquartered in South Carolina, is a recognized leader in customized safety and quality management, and business solutions. “We are pleased to have the added services of a leader… Read more »
Source: Guardian Flight, 11-Apr-18
Many fatal helicopter accidents involve causes from actions or non-actions that may have occurred months or years before during initial or recurrent instruction sessions. The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has determined that these training initiatives could improve safety and potentially save lives. Promote the Teaching of Threat and Error Management – Traditional decision-making models focus… Read more »
Source: USHST, 04-Apr-18
The Federal Aviation Administration will host the 2018 International Rotorcraft Safety Conference featuring about 35 presentations and seminars in an effort to reduce the national helicopter accident rate, particularly among small operators. The three-day event will offer Inspection Authorization and FAA AMT and WINGS credits. Admission will be free. The conference will take place October 23-25, 2018, at… Read more »
Source: FAA, 03-Apr-18
After analyzing dozens of helicopter accidents that resulted in fatalities for pilots and passengers, the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has determined that the further development and wider usage of these four flight technologies will improve safety across the helicopter industry and save lives. Develop Autopilot Equipment for Light Helicopters – Current light helicopters have… Read more »
Source: USHST, 16-Mar-18
Senior offshore helicopter industry leaders met during the HAI HeliExpo show in Las Vegas last week to add momentum to their collaborative efforts to enhance safety through HeliOffshore. A meeting of the global offshore helicopter safety association’s Safety Strategy Panel on 26th February agreed to increase the degree of governance exercised by key stakeholders, with… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 12-Mar-18
ARGUS PROS, a subsidiary of ARGUS International, is pleased to announce it will host the Flight Safety Foundation BARS Auditor Accreditation Course in Denver March 19-21. The three-day course introduces participants to the elements of the Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) Program. The course requires a good level of knowledge and experience of aviation audits… Read more »
Source: ARGUS International, 07-Mar-18
Last week more than 50 aviation safety professionals and leaders from industry and government came together in Washington DC for this year’s USHST Infrastructure Summit. The Summit is designed as an industry and government collaborative effort comprised of groups that are involved with; impacted by; have federal, state or local regulatory oversite, jurisdiction and/or enforcement… Read more »
Source: USHST, 28-Feb-18
Led by Jon Hopkinson, the CHC Global Standards team takes a pioneering approach as they push for continuous improvement in safety in rotorcraft. In 2011, CHC Helicopter decided to maximise the benefits it could take from its global operational and safety incident reporting experience by incorporating all AOCs under a single centralised corporate flight operation… Read more »
Source: CHC, 25-Feb-18
Usually, helicopter accidents occur in states where more helicopters are flying year round and where helicopters operate most often for industry purposes. During the 10-year period from 2007 to 2016, a large percentage of helicopter operations took place west of the Rocky Mountains and that is reflected in the accident totals. Helicopter Accidents – 2007… Read more »
Source: USHST, 14-Feb-18
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a great 2018. This is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we trust many of our readers will take time to consider what that means to the world, perhaps through attending a church… Read more »
22-Dec-17
The latest issue of Eurocontrol’s Hindsight magazine is now available, with much of the edition focusing on the theme “Safety at the Interfaces—Collaboration at Work.” This is a topic close to our hearts at HeliOffshore, and so CEO Gretchen Haskins was delighted to be one of 18 expert contributors to the feature with an article… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 18-Dec-17
Thanks to the excellent collaboration between HeliOffshore’s 109 members, 2017 has been another very productive year in our shared efforts to enhance safety. Despite the challenges our industry has faced over the past 12 months, we’ve collectively made significant progress in implementing the strategy on which our unique organization was founded just over three years… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 15-Dec-17
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
Source: AAIB, 15-Dec-17
Safety management and training company Thought Process Ltd is developing a programme to raise awareness of CAP437 standards for helicopter landing areas. The programme is intended to give offshore helicopter operations personnel a sound understanding of the design criteria for helidecks, as well as associated offshore environmental factors and helicopter performance. The HeliOffshore member company… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 11-Dec-17
In the recent Q3 earnings call with financial analysts, Era Helicopters President and CEO Chris Bradshaw provided the following commentary as part of his introduction:- “The next topic is an update on the status of H225 and AS332 L2 model helicopters following the fatal accidents off the coast of Norway in April 2016, and resultant… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 20-Nov-17
After analyzing dozens of helicopter accidents that resulted in fatalities for pilots and passengers, the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has uncovered five vital action items for pilots that will improve safe operations. Focusing pilots on these solutions will allow them to make better choices before and during their flights. The facts show that failure… Read more »
Source: USHST, 01-Nov-17
Safety intelligence data sharing is a big part of HeliOffshore’s mission to enhance the safety of offshore helicopter operations. It is set to play an even bigger part, as operations director Francois Lassale explained in a new video interview with FINN: http://tinyurl.com/yaah7mb2
Source: HeliOffshore, 27-Oct-17
Safety in today’s global aviation market depends to a great extent on international partnerships between aviation regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fully subscribes to this philosophy, which is why on September 22 the agency updated its long-standing aviation safety agreement with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) The changes in this agreement enhance the… Read more »
Source: FAA, 20-Oct-17
USAIG, one of the world’s leading aviation-specific insurance providers celebrates 40 years of creating and distributing safety posters to the aviation community – free of charge. USAIG has created more than 400 posters and distributed more than two million copies to industry members worldwide. In 1977, USAIG (United States Aircraft Insurance Group, Booth C11032) began… Read more »
Source: USAIG, 17-Oct-17
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
Source: AAIB, 10-Oct-17
Air Partner’s aviation safety consultancy company Baines Simmons has been awarded a two-year contract by Leonardo Helicopters to support the development and enhancement of its safety management performance across its UK sites. Baines Simmons will provide Leonardo Helicopters with specialist consultancy and training support, drawing on over 16 years of industry-leading experience. The programme will… Read more »
Source: Baines Simmons, 06-Oct-17
Airbus Helicopters have brought an H225 to the Helitech International show which starts tomorrow at the ExCeL exhibition centre close to London City Airport. The helicopter touched down around 11.15L this morning. In an attempt to improve the PR surrounding the helicopter type, Airbus has brought an example which they had stored at the factory… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 02-Oct-17
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has completed its comprehensive analysis of the root causes of fatal accidents and has developed 22 measurable safety enhancements aimed at reducing fatalities. Detailed descriptions for 18 of the proposed safety enhancements can now be found on the USHST web site. [ http://www.ushst.org/MobilApp.aspx] The descriptions offer information on the… Read more »
Source: USHST, 26-Sep-17
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team has completed its comprehensive analysis of the root causes of fatal accidents and has developed 22 measurable safety enhancements aimed at reducing fatalities. The 22 safety enhancements can be grouped into four categories: Safety Management Seven safety enhancements Competency Six safety enhancements IMC and Visibility Four safety enhancements (announced on… Read more »
18-Sep-17
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team has completed its comprehensive analysis of the root causes of fatal accidents and has developed 22 measurable safety enhancements aimed at reducing fatalities. The 22 safety enhancements can be grouped into four categories: Loss of Control Five safety enhancements Safety Management Seven safety enhancements (three still in development) Competency Six… Read more »
Source: USHST, 15-Sep-17
Each fall, HAI and its Helicopter Tour Operators Committee (HTOC) team up to host their Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar. Our event draws tour operators from every major U.S. air-tour market, including Alaska, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and New York; Part 135 operators; and others who use this opportunity to meet with fellow members… Read more »
Source: HAI, 13-Sep-17
Airbus Helicopters has made the results of its survey available to operators and oil companies, but not officially to the press. However, we have validated from a reliable source that 62% of respondents say they are most unlikely to, or will never, fly in the H225 again. Airbus are trying to compare this to the… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Sep-17
The team at DART Aerospace has made it a priority to promote safety within today’s helicopter industry. In a recent video, DART’s cable cutter system was used to save an aircraft and its crew from a dangerous wire strike in a rural area of Portugal. Thanks to Portugal’s initiative to pass the legislation of a mandatory… Read more »
Source: DART Aerospace, 18-Aug-17
In a recent investor call, Jonathan Baliff – President and CEO of Bristow Group – said the following on the company’s position on the Airbus H225 helicopter and their current plans for its Return To Service. “You may be aware that the civil aviation authorities in the United Kingdom and Norway recently issued directives that… Read more »
Source: SeekingAlpha, 15-Aug-17
Oil company BP is being reported by Energy Voice as saying it will not consider allowing its offshore workforce using Airbus EC225 or AS332L2 helicopters until the Norwegian investigation authority AIBN has completed and reported on its work regarding the CHC accident of April 2016. This news comes after the UK and Norwegian CAAs both… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Jul-17
The Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation has recently announced their new safety measures with regards to foreign commercial helicopter pilots. These pilots must undergo special training as well have specific flight hours according to their contract duration in order to fly in the country. This safety measure was created after an accident in 2016. The… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Jun-17
Maclean District Hospital has had to close down their attached helipad after the Northern NSW Local Health District conducted a safety audit. New safety and engineering rules have been set in place to ensure the overall safety of helicopter landing sites. Maclean District Hospital’s helipad did not meet these guidelines. A temporary landing site for… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-May-17
As a global leader in aviation safety and vetting tools for consumers of aviation services ARGUS is pleased to announce the ARGUS Unmanned Safety Partnership Program for commercial UAS operators. The ARGUS Unmanned Safety Partnership Program has several package options. Each package contains valuable operational and safety tools as well as the globally respected ARGUS… Read more »
Source: ARGUS International, 24-May-17
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
Source: AAIB, 18-May-17
The Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Mr Patrick Ky and the Vice Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Li Jian opened on 27 April 2017 the joined Safety Conference organized by the two organizations, bringing together leading CEOs from the European and Chinese aviation industry. The conference… Read more »
Source: EASA, 04-May-17
A Preliminary Report into the fatal accident of the CHC operated H225 helicopter LN-OJF by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) was issued on April 28th 2017 (“The Report” is located at https://www.aibn.no/Aviation/Investigations/16-286. The detailing of the catastrophic events makes very sad reading indeed, particularly the questions as to: 1. Why two similar catastrophic accidents… Read more »
Source: Allan Blake for HeliHub.com, 03-May-17
Airbus Helicopters have today issued the following statement to coincide with the publication of another Preliminary Report by AIBN – the Accident Investigation Board of Norway – into the fatal accident of EC225 LN-OJF on 29th April 2017, it being the first anniversary tomorrow. Further comment is given below the statement Statement from Guillaume Faury,… Read more »
Source: Airbus Helicopters, 28-Apr-17
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) takes note of the publication today by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) of the preliminary investigation report of the tragic accident of an Airbus Helicopters EC225 (registration number LN-OJF) which occurred on 29 April 2016 in Norway. While the accident investigation is not complete, EASA continues to implement… Read more »
Source: EASA, 28-Apr-17
Investigation of helicopter accident at Turøy near Bergen in Hordaland county, Norway Description 29 April 2016 the Main Rotor Head (MRH) and mast suddenly detached from an Airbus Helicopters EC 225 LP enroute from Gullfaks B to Bergen Airport Flesland. The helicopter impacted on a small island east of Turøy. All 13 people on board… Read more »
Source: AIBN, 28-Apr-17
With a renewed focus on developing safety enhancements to reduce the number of fatal accidents, the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has restructured its front line work groups. The structure is closely patterned after the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC), which is a public-private partnership working to improve U.S. general aviation safety. From… Read more »
Source: USHST, 20-Apr-17
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
Source: AAIB, 17-Apr-17
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued today a Safety Information Bulletin to remind airlines and aircraft operators of important principles for the safe transport of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) containing lithium batteries. These principles should be taken into account by the airlines when they perform their safety risk assessment. PEDs containing lithium batteries are… Read more »
Source: EASA, 10-Apr-17
Repsol has been called to respond to safety issues brought up by an audit from the Petroleum Safety Authority of Norway. They carried out the audit to investigate the emergency preparedness requirements, the maintenance of safety equipment and evacuation routes and drills, as it is in connection with their Gyda helicopter deck in the North… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 21-Mar-17
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
Source: AAIB, 16-Mar-17
Life Link III will be recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health at the Governor’s Safety Awards luncheon on May 18, 2017, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Life Link III is one of 266 employers to be honored through the awards program, coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council. “We thank Life Link III for… Read more »
Source: Life Link lll, 16-Mar-17
HAI President Matt Zuccaro opened the 2017 Safety Symposium with a presentation of the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Airspace System. Zuccaro explained how the technology behind UAS is one that we should aim to develop. He goes further to say that such technology will bring business to helicopter operators and that… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Mar-17
Sikorsky, PHI Inc. and Outerlink Global Solutions, a Metro Aviation company, today announced that the S-92® helicopter has demonstrated the ability to transmit in-flight, real-time Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) data to PHI’s operations control center. The announcement came at the 2017 Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo show. With this new capability, PHI operators can… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 08-Mar-17
