Safety News

Bad statistic – Three winching fatalities in eight weeks

Bad statistic – Three winching fatalities in eight weeks

16-Sep-2013Source: HeliHub.com

From the very close attention HeliHub.com gives to safety data, we have noticed a recent spate of  accidents involving winching operations where the person being winched is the fatality.  Check out these three   12-Sep-13 Sikorsky UH-60 Springville, US-California (1F) 57-year-old volunteer Shane Krogen fell about 50 feet from a helicopter during a marijuana-eradication effort in... Read more

First helipad in Europe with LPV guidance – at Eurocopter’s Donauworth factory

First helipad in Europe with LPV guidance – at Eurocopter’s Donauworth factory

12-Sep-2013Source: Eurocopter

Improved safety in poor visibility conditions is an advantage that pilots at Eurocopter in Donauwörth are now able to enjoy. The onsite helicopter landing pad at Eurocopter’s headquarters in Germany is the first helipad in Europe to make use of Localizer Performance with Vertical (LPV) guidance, a highly precise, GPS-supported instrument approach procedure. The new... Read more

Bell to hold regional safety symposium in China

Bell to hold regional safety symposium in China

12-Sep-2013Source: Bell

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it will hold a regional safety symposium for rotorcraft pilots and technicians from across China on Tuesday, September 24 at the InterContinental Beijing Beichen hotel in Beijing, China. A new initiative for Bell Helicopter, the safety symposium educates maintainers and operators on key safety practices... Read more

TSB highlights importance of maintaining hands-on proficiency when flying automated aircraft

TSB highlights importance of maintaining hands-on proficiency when flying automated aircraft

12-Sep-2013Source: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its investigation report (A11H0001) into an incident where a Sikorsky S-92A operated by Cougar Helicopters Inc. inadvertently descended and came within seconds of striking the water in July 2011. “The aviation industry is increasingly relying on cockpit automation in its day-to-day operations,” said Daryl Collins, the Investigator-in-Charge. “Despite the many benefits of... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – September 2013

UK AAIB Bulletin – September 2013

12-Sep-2013Source: 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

TSB launches investigation into fatal Canadian Coast Guard Bo105 crash

TSB launches investigation into fatal Canadian Coast Guard Bo105 crash

11-Sep-2013Source: TSB Canada

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is launching an investigation into the crash of a Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) helicopter. The CCG helicopter, operated by Transport Canada, departed from the CCG vessel Amundsen and crashed in the McClure Strait, off the coast of Banks Island, Northwest Territories. The TSB is gathering information and will... Read more

Last Call for Rotor Safety Challenge Speakers

Last Call for Rotor Safety Challenge Speakers

10-Sep-2013Source: HAI

Friday, September 13, is the last day HAI will receive Rotor Safety Challenge proposals for presentation at HEI-EXPO 2014, in Anaheim, California. Industry experts and educators who wish to present a one-hour safety education session as part of the Rotor Safety Challenge must submit their proposals to HAI by close of business Friday, September 13.... Read more

Australia – AHIA and CASA form closer ties to expedite regulatory reviews

Australia – AHIA and CASA form closer ties to expedite regulatory reviews

10-Sep-2013Source: AHIA

History was made on the evening of Mon 9 Sep ’13, when the AHIA and CASA took part in the first teleconference to formalise the establishment of a CASA Liaison Officer to work with the various AHIA working groups now undertaking a detailed review of a range of new CASRs and associated standards. Peter Crook,... Read more

Bristow S92 SAR crew commended for Stornoway AS332L2 rescue

Bristow S92 SAR crew commended for Stornoway AS332L2 rescue

9-Sep-2013Source: Bristow

On Friday, August 23, 2013 Bristow SAR operations in Sumburgh was tasked by ARCC to conduct the rescue operations for the tragic helicopter accident that occurred offshore approximately two miles west of Sumburgh. Within minutes a Bristow SAR team was airborne, took operational command, coordinating with a Bond SAR helicopter, an RAF helicopter and RNLI.... Read more

Register Now for HAI Fall Aerial Firefighting Committee Meeting

Register Now for HAI Fall Aerial Firefighting Committee Meeting

3-Sep-2013Source: HAI

HAI’s annual Fall Aerial Firefighting Committee Meeting will once again be held at the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho, from November 18-20. Registration for the meeting has officially opened. There are still opportunities to help sponsor the annual meeting. Sponsors are the only attendees permitted to exhibit during the meeting. Click here to see the opportunities available. To reserve your... Read more

FAA Rotorcraft Seminar Looks at Safety from Several Angles

FAA Rotorcraft Seminar Looks at Safety from Several Angles

3-Sep-2013Source: HAI

HAI and the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) hosted a safety seminar for 70 members of the rotorcraft community August 28 at a location in surburban Philadelphia. Speakers included FAA flight surgeons Harriet Lester and Dominick Zito, who gave an informative talk to help listeners navigate over-the-counter medications and keep their ground time to a minimum.... Read more

AAIB reports CHC AS332L2 was “intact and upright” when it hit the water

AAIB reports CHC AS332L2 was “intact and upright” when it hit the water

2-Sep-2013Source: AAIB

At 1717 hrs UTC on 23 August 2013, an AS332 L2 Super Puma helicopter crashed into the sea whilst on approach to Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands. Four of the 18 occupants lost their lives. The AAIB immediately despatched a team of investigators and support staff to Aberdeen and the Shetland Islands. In accordance... Read more

Oil & Gas UK Comments on HSSG’s Recommendation to Return Helicopters to Flight

Oil & Gas UK Comments on HSSG’s Recommendation to Return Helicopters to Flight

1-Sep-2013Source: Oil & Gas UK

Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive, Malcolm Webb, said: “We commend the HSSG’s thorough review of this situation and the agreement which has been reached today. Oil & Gas UK is in complete alignment with this agreement, including the decision to return the aircraft in question to flight in a phased and proper manner and... Read more

HSSG recommends end of Super Puma flight suspension

HSSG recommends end of Super Puma flight suspension

1-Sep-2013Source: HSSG

On Saturday 24 August, Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) took the precautionary measure of taking a time out for safety by recommending temporary cessation of all commercial passenger flights of the AS332 L, L1, L2 and EC225 variant of helicopter to and from offshore oil and gas installations within the UK, following the... Read more

Register Now for IHST Worldwide Helicopter Safety Symposium

Register Now for IHST Worldwide Helicopter Safety Symposium

28-Aug-2013Source: IHST

The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) will host its seventh worldwide helicopter symposium for safety professionals on Feb. 27-28, 2014, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., immediately following the close of HAI HELI-EXPO 2014. The symposium will focus on the importance of helicopter pilot self-discipline and personal responsibility. In addition to international aviation safety experts... Read more

Oil & Gas UK discusses impact of temporary Super Puma suspension

Oil & Gas UK discusses impact of temporary Super Puma suspension

27-Aug-2013Source: Oil & Gas UK

Oil & Gas UK held a meeting in Aberdeen today (Monday 26 August) to discuss the operational impact of the temporary suspension of Super Puma helicopters following the crash of an L2 model on Friday with the tragic loss of four lives and injury to others. There were 80 representatives of oil and gas operators... Read more

North Sea accident – Statement from PHPA President

North Sea accident – Statement from PHPA President

27-Aug-2013Source: OPEIU

The Professional Helicopter Pilots Association International (PHPA), a council of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, is mourning the loss of four passengers who were killed on August 23, 2013, when a CHC L2 aircraft crashed into the waters off the coast of Sumburgh, United Kingdom. Fourteen people, including two crew members,... Read more

Emotions high as Facebook page against AS332 gains 28,000 followers

Emotions high as Facebook page against AS332 gains 28,000 followers

26-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Eurocopter have a major uphill PR battle ahead of them, for certain. Since the Shetland fatal accident on Friday – less than three days ago as this is written – a Facebook page “Destroy the Super Pumas” has gained over 28,000 followers. While it is clearly not something people in the aviation industry would support,... Read more

CHC continues AS332L/L1, EC225 operations – except in UK

CHC continues AS332L/L1, EC225 operations – except in UK

26-Aug-2013Source: CHC

Extract from CHC statement 11pm UK 25th August:- CHC plans to resume normal operations on Monday with AS332L/L1 and EC225 aircraft. We will continue to hold all flights worldwide involving AS332L2 aircraft, except for those involved in life-saving SAR and medevac missions. In the U.K., consistent with a request by the Helicopter Safety Steering Group... Read more

Philadelphia Helicopter Safety Conference – Aug 28th

Philadelphia Helicopter Safety Conference – Aug 28th

26-Aug-2013Source: HAI

Attention all helicopter pilots: don’t miss this landmark event featuring the very latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry, presented by some of the top industry experts in their field! On August 28, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel  in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, a panel of experts from AgustaWestland, Helicopter Association International (HAI), the FAA... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane appoints VP of Safety, Security and Compliance

Erickson Air-Crane appoints VP of Safety, Security and Compliance

25-Aug-2013Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC) (“Erickson” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of aviation services to a diverse mix of commercial and government customers, and the vertically-integrated manufacturer and operator of the powerful heavy-lift Erickson S-64 Aircrane helicopter, announced today that it has appointed Dr. Michael D. New as the Company’s Vice President of... Read more

HSSG Recommends Temporary Suspension of Super Puma Helicopters

HSSG Recommends Temporary Suspension of Super Puma Helicopters

25-Aug-2013Source: HSSG

Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) met this afternoon (24 August) to discuss the helicopter accident off Shetland on 23 August.  All members expressed their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who tragically lost their lives and to the survivors. At present there are no confirmed facts as to... Read more

Oil & Gas UK Statement: Helicopter Ditching West of Shetland

Oil & Gas UK Statement: Helicopter Ditching West of Shetland

25-Aug-2013Source: Oil & Gas UK

Oil & Gas UK’s Chief Executive Malcolm Webb said: “Oil & Gas UK expresses its profound sorrow at the news of the deaths and injuries resulting from yesterday’s helicopter ditching off Shetland.  Our thoughts are first and foremost with all who were on this flight, their  families and their friends and we send our deepest condolences... Read more

CHC Statement on Sumburgh Aircraft Accident

CHC Statement on Sumburgh Aircraft Accident

25-Aug-2013Source: CHC

[Update from CHC 11pm UK on 25th August] A CHC Helicopter AS332L2 aircraft landed in the water Friday (Aug. 23) about two nautical miles west of Sumburgh, on Shetland Island in the U.K. The helicopter had traveled from Aberdeen to two North Sea oil-and-gas rigs before returning to Sumburgh. The aircraft was on approach to... Read more

American Eurocopter announces deadline for 2013 Vision Zero Safety Award

American Eurocopter announces deadline for 2013 Vision Zero Safety Award

25-Aug-2013Source: American Eurocopter

American Eurocopter announced that the deadline has been extended until Sept. 7 for nominations for the 2013 Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award, a $10,000 annual prize the company awards to air medical transport organization for innovative measures taken to improve aviation safety. The award was established by American Eurocopter to promote and recognize a higher level of... Read more

NASA Crashes Helicopter to Study Safety

NASA Crashes Helicopter to Study Safety

22-Aug-2013Source: NASA

 NASA researchers will drop a 45-foot-long helicopter fuselage from a height of about 30 feet to test improved seat belts and seats and advance experimental techniques and crashworthiness data. NASA is collaborating with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and Federal Aviation Administration on the Transport Rotorcraft Airframe Crash Test Bed full-scale crash tests at Langley’s... Read more

NFC Partners for New Course in Underwater Egress/Survival with NVGs

NFC Partners for New Course in Underwater Egress/Survival with NVGs

21-Aug-2013Source: Night Flight Concepts

Night Flight Concepts® is pleased to announce their partnership with Bolo3 Group. Recognized as leaders in their field, the pairing of the experience and services offered by both companies has created a unique, water safety course for helicopter pilots and crewmembers. Operator Conducts Practical Egress/Survival Training with Bolo3 Group The Underwater Egress Training for NVG... Read more

Hampton Roads Charter Service sued over fatal R66 accident

Hampton Roads Charter Service sued over fatal R66 accident

21-Aug-2013

A Virginia woman sued over a helicopter crash last month in northeastern Pennsylvania that killed her young son and four others, saying a charter company “negligently and recklessly” allowed a pilot to fly when he was not fully trained.  see full story HeliHub accident page – see 27-Jul-13 N646AG Robinson R66 Tunkhannock, US-Pennsylvania (5F) Premilinary NTSB... Read more

HAI Rotor Safety Challenge Sessions

HAI Rotor Safety Challenge Sessions

15-Aug-2013Source: HAI

At HAI HELI-EXPO 2013, HAI debuted the Rotor Safety Challenge, a program of free safety education sessions for Expo attendees. Included were 39 one-hour sessions in four safety tracks: Safety Management, Flight Operations, Maintenance/Technical Issues, and Safety Culture/Leadership. This year, the Rotor Safety Challenge sessions will take place on February 25 and 26, 2014, between... Read more

Bristow Academy to recognize Michael Campbell today

Bristow Academy to recognize Michael Campbell today

9-Aug-2013Source: Bristow Academy

Bristow Academy Inc., a division of Bristow Group Inc., will present an award to Michael Campbell, the helicopter pilot who safely landed his helicopter near the 79th Street Boat Basin in New York City on Sunday, June 30, 2013. Michael is a graduate of Bristow Academy. The award presentation will occur on Friday, August 9,... Read more

PNG helicopter pilot held up and robbed

PNG helicopter pilot held up and robbed

8-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com

A helicopter operator in Papua New Guinea has suspended all flights in a particular area after a pilot and crew were held up and robbed by a gang. Heli Solutions will no longer fly in the Kagua district in PNG’s Southern Highlands after the incident which happned while they were on a task supporting the... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – August 2013

UK AAIB Bulletin – August 2013

8-Aug-2013Source: AAIB

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-EROM), whilst taking off, the helicopter rolled onto its right side at Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, 11 April 2013 Robinson R44 II Raven II (G-MRRY), loss of control on the ground, Denham Airfield, Buckinghamshire,... Read more

IHST to host Worldwide Helicopter Safety Symposium following Heli-Expo 2014

IHST to host Worldwide Helicopter Safety Symposium following Heli-Expo 2014

7-Aug-2013Source: IHST

The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) will host its seventh worldwide helicopter symposium for safety professionals on Feb. 27-28, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif., immediately following the close of Heli-Expo 2014. The symposium will focus on the importance of helicopter pilot self-discipline and personal responsibility.  In addition to international aviation safety experts participating on panels during... Read more

Oklahoma Lawmaker to study medical helicopter safety

Oklahoma Lawmaker to study medical helicopter safety

7-Aug-2013Source: Claims Journal

State Senator Tom Ivester is considering a recommendation from the University of Oklahoma’s emergency medicine department, which says accreditation should be mandatory for medical helicopter companies. Now, accreditation is voluntary – see full story... Read more

Bristow more cautious on EC225, targetting Oct-Dec quarter return to service

Bristow more cautious on EC225, targetting Oct-Dec quarter return to service

5-Aug-2013Source: Bristow Group

This is an extract from the Bristow quarterly financial report Eurocopter, the manufacturer of the EC225 Super Puma aircraft, has indicated that they have determined the root causes of the gear shaft failure in the EC225 that occurred in 2012. This determination has been reviewed and verified by airworthiness authorities and independent third parties. The... Read more

HAI President Message – Land the Damn Helicopter!

HAI President Message – Land the Damn Helicopter!

2-Aug-2013Source: HAI

So, how is your day going? Mine was not that great. I spent it reading National Transportation Safety Board helicopter accident reports. I don’t know about you, but my level of frustration is at an all-time high. There were no surprises. No one has yet invented a new way to crash helicopters. The reports noted... Read more

SonAir resumes Eurocopter EC225 operations

SonAir resumes Eurocopter EC225 operations

1-Aug-2013Source: Eurocopter

SonAir, Africa’s largest oil and gas helicopter operator, has become the first operator to resume passenger transportation flights with the suspended EC225 fleet. Three flights were performed successfully with two EC225s from Luanda to two offshore platforms. Based in Angola, SonAir is the aviation division of Sonangol, Angola’s national oil company. Its resumption of EC225... Read more

FAA seeks approval for collection of EMS data from operators

FAA seeks approval for collection of EMS data from operators

1-Aug-2013Source: FAA

Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Helicopter Air Ambulance Operator Reports AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management... Read more

Safety Workshops during Helitech International 2013

Safety Workshops during Helitech International 2013

1-Aug-2013Source: EHEST

The European Helicopter Safety team and International Helicopter Safety Team are proud to present Safety Workshops open to all Helitech International 2013 registrants at the Excel Conference Centre in London. The workshops will be presented by experts from all areas of the helicopter industry: Day 1 (24 September 2013) will focus on Training, Maintenance and... Read more

EagleMed reaches FAA SMS Level Two

EagleMed reaches FAA SMS Level Two

1-Aug-2013Source: EagleMed

EagleMed LLC has entered the second level of the voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS), demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to advancements in safety. The critical care air medical transport company began working with the FAA on the process more than 18 months ago. By adopting SMS as a higher standard for safety... Read more

Ornge review – Minister of Health issues statement

Ornge review – Minister of Health issues statement

16-Jul-2013Source: Ontario Government

Today, Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, issued the following statement on the release of the Office of the Chief Coroner’s review of Ornge air ambulance: “I want to thank the Expert Panel for their work to examine Ornge air ambulance transports and for their recommendations to improve patient care. This report provides... Read more

Baum Hedlund brings first R66 wrongful death lawsuit

Baum Hedlund brings first R66 wrongful death lawsuit

11-Jul-2013Source: Baum Hedlund

The families of two men killed in the first Robinson R66 helicopter to ever crash have filed a wrongful death lawsuit (case number BC514477) in Los Angeles Superior Court through their attorneys, Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman. The lawsuit alleges that shortly after takeoff the R66 experienced a mechanical malfunction and uncontrollable loss of power during normal... Read more

HSSG response to EASA and CAA Directive on EC225

HSSG response to EASA and CAA Directive on EC225

11-Jul-2013Source: HSSG

The Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) welcomes the Directive from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the first major step in bringing the fleet of EC225 helicopters back to safe flight operations. The safety barriers proposed will give several layers of assurance that this helicopter is safe to fly.... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – July 2013

UK AAIB Bulletin – July 2013

11-Jul-2013Source: 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

EASA approves interim fix for EC225 over-water flights

EASA approves interim fix for EC225 over-water flights

10-Jul-2013Source: UK CAA and others

Following publication of an airworthiness directive by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for Super Puma helicopters on 9 July 2013, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will subsequently amend its operational restriction on the helicopter type, allowing each aircraft to return to service once the requirements of the EASA directive are met. EASA is... Read more

Fourth training accident in 30 months for Upper Limit Aviation

Fourth training accident in 30 months for Upper Limit Aviation

9-Jul-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Yesterday saw a Robinson R22 of Upper Limit Aviation suffer an accident on a training flight in mountainous terrain – see 08-Jul-13 N712U Robinson R22B American Fork Canyon, US-Utah. The instructor and student have been seriously injured. Our database now shows nine accidents for Upper Limit Aviation. Four of these have occurred since March 2011. The oldest... Read more

Could Technology Be a Hindrance to Your Operation?

Could Technology Be a Hindrance to Your Operation?

4-Jul-2013Source: NBAA

Hear a Flight Plan podcast about how the steep learning curve for constantly evolving avionics and ATC technologies can have safety implications When Jim Lara had a new up-to-date avionics suite installed in his Baron last December, he faced a task even more daunting than selecting, installing and paying for the glass cockpit components: learning how to... Read more

IHST to Hold Safety Workshops at HeliTech

IHST to Hold Safety Workshops at HeliTech

3-Jul-2013Source: IHST

Members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) will lead a number of safety workshops at the premier helicopter industry event in Europe, the HeliTech International Expo and Conference.  The HeliTech Expo, which takes place Sept. 24-26 in London, attracts nearly 4,000 participants within the rotorcraft industry from 60 countries. IHST members will provide the... Read more

PHPA reminds about 4th July firework displays

PHPA reminds about 4th July firework displays

3-Jul-2013Source: PHPA

Remember that the 4th of July is coming up right around the corner. Fly a little higher to get some distance between the illegal fireworks coming up at you and remember all of the local fireworks shows. Both Sunland-Tujunga and Crescenta Valley have their own shows. The Crescenta Valley show is located just north of the 210... Read more

Colorado Helicopter Safety Meeting – July 20

Colorado Helicopter Safety Meeting – July 20

2-Jul-2013Source: HAI

Join HAI, the FAA Safety Team, the Denver FSDO, and many more on July 20 in Aurora, Colo., for the very latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry. A panel of experts will discuss local and regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, career paths/opportunities, and many... Read more

Productive Week for HAI’s Committees

Productive Week for HAI’s Committees

1-Jul-2013Source: HAI

Much of the work of HAI is done by members serving on one or more of the association’s 14 committees. During the last week of June, several of those committees gathered at HAI’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va., for very productive working sessions. The HAI Technical and Safety committees held their annual spring meeting in HAI’s... Read more

Eurocopter Canada invites nominations for ‘Innovation in Safety Award’

Eurocopter Canada invites nominations for ‘Innovation in Safety Award’

26-Jun-2013Source: Eurocopter Canada

Eurocopter Canada Limited (ECL) will celebrate outstanding achievement at the Helicopter Association of Canada annual conference, November 8th-10th in Vancouver, BC. The winner(s) of the ‘Innovation in Safety Award’ will be chosen by a committee selection process and receive a cash prize of $5,000.00 as well as, recognition of industry professionals. “It is Eurocopter Canada’s... Read more

AS350B3e “not grounded” after UK accident, says Eurocopter

AS350B3e “not grounded” after UK accident, says Eurocopter

26-Jun-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Eurocopter has issued a statement to HeliHub.com after we requested further information on the accident on 19th June of G-ECUK, a very recently delivered AS350B3e helicopter. The statement says this – “Regarding the accident that occurred on June 19 near Oxford in the UK with an AS350 B3e, Eurocopter is, at this stage, not able... Read more

No GPWS on Ornge S76 in fatal accident

No GPWS on Ornge S76 in fatal accident

25-Jun-2013Source: Toronto Star

Several of the Sikorsky S76s in ORNGE’s fleet had upgraded electronics, including a ground proximity warning system, but not the one that was based in Moosonee.  see full story... Read more

FAA Flight Safety Inspector staffing model found faulty

FAA Flight Safety Inspector staffing model found faulty

25-Jun-2013Source: HAI

According to a Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) report, the FAA’s new staffing model for flight safety inspectors and the number required has some serious flaws reminiscent of the old system. The new system was instituted in 2009 following the recommendations of a 2006 National Research Council study mandated by Congress. The IG found... Read more

Ornge pilots say fatal accident may be due to management decisions

Ornge pilots say fatal accident may be due to management decisions

24-Jun-2013Source: Toronto Star

A Toronto Star investigation has found troubling issues arising from the accident that could impact the safety and service of ORNGE’s helicopter operations – see full story... Read more

Quebec R22 has 100 ft near miss with two F-18s

Quebec R22 has 100 ft near miss with two F-18s

23-Jun-2013Source: HeliHub.com

On 4th June, a Robinson R22 operated by Canadian Helicopters was on a local fight in Quebec when it suffered a near-miss with two Canadian Armed Forces F-18s; The Robinson was on a VFR flight and an approximately southern track, when the two jets were turning onto a southerly heading. Press reports suggest that after... Read more

FAA issues Advisory Circular on Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes

FAA issues Advisory Circular on Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes

19-Jun-2013Source: FAA

This Advisory Circular (AC) explains the importance of reporting collisions between aircraft and wildlife, more commonly referred to as wildlife strikes. It also explains recent improvements in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Reporting system, how to report a wildlife strike, what happens to the wildlife strike report data, how to access the... Read more

American Eurocopter awards scholarships for air safety training

American Eurocopter awards scholarships for air safety training

18-Jun-2013Source: American Eurocopter

American Eurocopter has awarded two scholarships to leaders of Air Medical Transport  teams to attend a comprehensive training program aimed at improving the safety of air medical transport. The scholarships cover the costs of participation in the Safety Management Training Academy that is conducted annually by the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), an industry... Read more

ORNGE suspends night flights at remote sites across Ontario

ORNGE suspends night flights at remote sites across Ontario

15-Jun-2013Source: The Star

Two weeks after the fatal crash of an air ambulance helicopter, ORNGE has temporarily suspended night flights to almost 60 sites across Ontario.  see full story... Read more

Night Flight Concepts Infographic: Laser Strike Readiness

Night Flight Concepts Infographic: Laser Strike Readiness

14-Jun-2013Source: Night Flight Concepts

Night Flight Concepts, the leading provider of night vision solutions, has created a new infographic focusing on laser strike readiness.  As the annual number of laser strikes on both military and civilian aircraft increase, the topic of laser strike readiness is becoming more pressing. “The goal with this infographic is to arm military, civilian and... Read more

“Head for home in IMC” – contributed to two fatal EMS accidents

“Head for home in IMC” – contributed to two fatal EMS accidents

14-Jun-2013Source: Flight Safety Foundation

The NTSB has cited the pilot’s decision to fly into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) as the probable cause of two fatal crashes in late 2009 and early 2010 of emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters.  see full story... Read more

Whistler Health Care Centre’s helipad facing closure – again

Whistler Health Care Centre’s helipad facing closure – again

13-Jun-2013Source: Pique

Transport Canada says it’s considering suspending operations because vehicles and pedestrians have failed to observe traffic laws requiring them to stop while helicopters are landing or taking off. – see full story... Read more

HAI report on Pensacola safety seminar

HAI report on Pensacola safety seminar

13-Jun-2013Source: HAI

n Saturday, June 8, HAI joined the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) in sponsoring a helicopter safety seminar in Pensacola, Fla. In addition to an HAI Safety Initiative Overview presented by Stan Rose, HAI’s director of Safety Outreach Programs, the agenda included presentations by Dr. Scott Chappell, chair of the Department of human Factors at the... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – June 2013

UK AAIB Bulletin – June 2013

13-Jun-2013Source: 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

Canada – Transportation Safety Board analyses 2012 accidents

Canada – Transportation Safety Board analyses 2012 accidents

11-Jun-2013Source: TSB

In 2012, there were 290 aviation accidents reported to the TSB, representing an increase of 13% over 257 in 2011, but comparable to the five-year average of 292. Aeroplane accidents occurred mostly on recreational flights (56%), then air transport (15%) and training flights (14%). Helicopter accidents occurred mainly on air transport flights (23%) and recreational... Read more

Greek-manufactured helicopter evacuation simulator launched

Greek-manufactured helicopter evacuation simulator launched

10-Jun-2013Source: Greek Reporter

The testing of a Greek helicopter simulator on May 29 at Souda Bay was reported to be a success. The simulator was built on behalf of the Norwegian company Evacsim SA, by Ergaleiotechniki Crete which is based in Chania. (See Full Story)... Read more

Fatal Air Evac Lifeteam accident in Kentucky

Fatal Air Evac Lifeteam accident in Kentucky

7-Jun-2013Source: HeliHub.com

AEL statement on Facebook – We are saddened to confirm that three members of our Manchester, Ky., crew were killed in a helicopter accident late Thursday evening. We are devastated at the loss of these crew members who we consider family. We have no details regarding the cause of the accident but will be working with... Read more

86% of North Sea oilmen fear flying in EC225

86% of North Sea oilmen fear flying in EC225

6-Jun-2013Source: Press & Journal

Eurocopter has an uphill PR battle ahead of them – nearly nine out of 10 offshore workers have lost confidence in the model of helicopter involved in two North Sea ditchings last year. (see full story) NOTE other reports are sceptical of this article, saying the word ‘fear’ did not appear in the survey... Read more

Barbecue blunder forced UK hospital helipad to shut

Barbecue blunder forced UK hospital helipad to shut

5-Jun-2013

Scottish Air Ambulance EC135 ferrying a sick ­patient from a remote island to a mainland hospital was forced to ­divert to an airport after the pilot spotted doctors having a barbecue near the helipad. (see full story)... Read more

UK – New offshore fire-fighting training facility opens at Newcastle

UK – New offshore fire-fighting training facility opens at Newcastle

4-Jun-2013Source: Newcastle International Airport

A brand new £1million, state-of-the-art, offshore training centre was unveiled today at Newcastle International Airport, which will see up to 6,000 offshore workers trained every year in emergency fire fighting. The world-class facility has been developed by Offshore Training Newcastle (OTN) – a unique partnership of three of the North East’s leading training organisations: AIS,... Read more

New “Land or Ditch Immediately” advice for EC225 operators

New “Land or Ditch Immediately” advice for EC225 operators

31-May-2013Source: HeliHub.com

This week, EASA has issued a new Emergency Airworthiness Directive for the Emergency Lubrication (EMLUB) system of the Eurocopter EC225. The original design of the EMLUB system guaranteed 30 minute of safe flight in the event of total loss of the dual oil lubrication system of the main gearbox. Investigations by EASA have revealed an... Read more

Suit filed over copter crash during reality shoot

Suit filed over copter crash during reality shoot

31-May-2013Source: Philly

The mother of a man killed when a helicopter crashed during a shoot for a reality television show has claimed in a wrongful death lawsuit that the aircraft’s operators and producers negligently operated the helicopter. (See Full Story) – and see also the HeliHub.com page for this accident here... Read more

Accident pilot’s blood alcohol test results disappear

Accident pilot’s blood alcohol test results disappear

30-May-2013Source: Aftenposten

Norwegian Police had said they suspected the pilot to have been affected by alcohol in the case of an AS350 accident which saw the helicopter crash at a ski resort with the tail boom sliced.  Now the blood alcohol test at the centre of the investigation has disappeared.  (see full story) – see also accident... Read more

Pensacola Helicopter Safety Seminar

Pensacola Helicopter Safety Seminar

30-May-2013Source: HAI

Join HAI, the FAA Safety Team, a cast of industry experts, and your peers for a free workshop for all helicopter pilots, operators, students, and instructors in the southern region on June 8 in Pensacola, Fla. Let us all reach the highest level of safety! Topics covered will include helicopter accident trends, human factors, safety... Read more

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