Safety News

Former Carson employees indicted over fatal “Iron 44” S61 crash

Former Carson employees indicted over fatal “Iron 44” S61 crash

5-Feb-2013Source: Wildfire Today

Two former employees of Carson Helicopters are facing 20+ years in prison for charges related to a 2008 S61 crash that killed seven firefighters and two crew members (see full story)... Read more

NTSB sending investigators to assist with R44 accident in Paraguay

NTSB sending investigators to assist with R44 accident in Paraguay

5-Feb-2013Source: NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to assist in the investigation of a Robinson R44 II helicopter that crashed about 80 miles north of Asuncion, Paraguay. Initial reports indicate that the pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The investigation is being led by the Paraguay Civil Aviation Authority (CIPAA). The NTSB has... Read more

UK – Instructor goes to jail for falsifying documents

UK – Instructor goes to jail for falsifying documents

4-Feb-2013Source: Yorkshire Post

A British helicopter instructor has been sentenced to six months jail for falsely signing off the training records of a student pilot to get him a pilot’s licence. The Judge said that it was impossible to say whether these actions were contributory to the “newly qualified” pilot and his wife losing their lives in their... Read more

Wild hogs beat two helicopters in a week

Wild hogs beat two helicopters in a week

4-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Low-level helicopter flying, engaged in doors-off ammunition-ready feral hog hunting has been a major factor in two helicopter accidents in the last seven days. Estimates vary between two and four million hogs across the US.  These wild animals are responsible for significant damage to pastures, leading to losses on behalf of the land owners.  This... Read more

Paraguayan presidential candidate killed in R44 crash

Paraguayan presidential candidate killed in R44 crash

3-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Presidential candidate Lino Oviedo, aged 69, died in an accident involving the Robinson R44 he was flying in on Saturday night.  The accident also claimed the lives of his bodyguard Derlis Galeano, and the pilot, Ramón Aurelio Picco. Our safety data pages have more details at 02-Feb-13 ZP-HAH Robinson R44 Puerto Antequera, Paraguay (3F) Some... Read more

Smartphone app released for CHC Safety & Quality Summit

Smartphone app released for CHC Safety & Quality Summit

3-Feb-2013Source: CHC

This year a mobile app has been developed which can be used on any smartphone or tablet. This app is designed to help you organize your time and make the most of what the summit has to offer. The app functions include: Your up-to-date personal schedule during the event Speaker details Background information on summit... Read more

Scientist optimises helicopter performance after main gearbox oil loss

Scientist optimises helicopter performance after main gearbox oil loss

3-Feb-2013Source: The Guardian, Nigeria

A professor and his research team at a UK university have developed options for minimising occurrences of loss of oil events during long hour flights by helicopters and solutions to increase the capability of continued operation after loss of oil (see full story)... Read more

Gemini Helicopters issues statement on fatal R44 crash

Gemini Helicopters issues statement on fatal R44 crash

30-Jan-2013

“In the evening of January 27, 2013 Gemini was alerted of an overdue helicopter with a last known location approximately 77 kilometers southwest of Fox Creek. ” (see full story) File photo... Read more

HAI Attends Gulf of Mexico HSAC Meeting

HAI Attends Gulf of Mexico HSAC Meeting

30-Jan-2013Source: HAI

HAI’s Director of Safety Stan Rose and Vice President of Government Affairs Ann Carroll attended the Helicopter Safety Advisory Council (HSAC) meeting in New Orleans, La., from Jan. 23-24. Rose and Carroll participated in a number of discussions with HSAC’s board, as well as with the FAA regarding offshore ADS-B issues.... Read more

Five Hazardous Attitudes for Helicopter Pilots to Recognize

Five Hazardous Attitudes for Helicopter Pilots to Recognize

28-Jan-2013Source: IHST

Many helicopter accidents involve pilots who allow themselves to be influenced by one or more of five basic hazardous attitudes.  These attitudes get pilots into trouble by causing them to take chances that invite accidents.  As a pilot, the less often you allow yourself to act upon a hazardous attitude, the safer your flying will... Read more

Louisiana man gets prison for shooting at helicopter

Louisiana man gets prison for shooting at helicopter

27-Jan-2013Source: San Francisco Chronicle

A Sikes man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for shooting at a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter during a drug surveillance operation. (see full story)... Read more

Australian fatal R44 accident caused by pilot incapacitation

Australian fatal R44 accident caused by pilot incapacitation

27-Jan-2013Source: ATSB

ATSB summary of the accident follows:- What happened On 3 September 2011, the pilot and one crewman of a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 helicopter, registered VH-HCA (HCA), departed an airstrip located near Kumarina roadhouse, approximately 150 km south of Newman, Western Australia. The crew were conducting low-level geophysical survey operations when the pilot was observed... Read more

Promising developments in bird-scare technology

Promising developments in bird-scare technology

25-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Under an SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program sponsorship project, TII (Technology International Inc) has released details of a new device to fire low-frequency sound at flocks of birds to steer them away from a given location.  Clearly there are significant uses for this around airports, heliports, helipads and aircraft carriers. Traditionally, bird scare systems... Read more

Minneapolis Helicopter Pilot Safety Workshop

Minneapolis Helicopter Pilot Safety Workshop

25-Jan-2013Source: HAI

On Thursday, February 7, 2013, join HAI, the FAASTeam, and a diverse panel of industry experts in Minneapolis, Minn., as they discuss regional issues affecting helicopter pilots, accident trends, personal risk assessment, safety initiatives, and more. There will be a free BBQ lunch for all attendees; you can obtain the latest safety materials, earn WINGS... Read more

It’s an incident, not an accident, argues NZ operator

It’s an incident, not an accident, argues NZ operator

24-Jan-2013Source: Mountain Scene

Louisa Patterson, owner of NZ operator Over the Top, is at loggerheads with the NZ Civil Aviation Authority, maintaining it was just an “incident” based on CAA’s own guidelines. “As an incident, this will not affect the safety record that Over The Top are so proud of”, she says (see full story)... Read more

AAIB issue Special Bulletin on London AW109E helicopter/crane accident

AAIB issue Special Bulletin on London AW109E helicopter/crane accident

23-Jan-2013Source: AAIB

Report name: S1/2013 – Agusta A109E, G-CRST Registration: G-CRST Type: Agusta A109E Location: St George Wharf, Vauxhall, London Date of occurrence: 16 January 2013 Category: Commercial Air Transport – Rotorcraft Summary: The helicopter was flying to the east of Battersea Heliport when it struck the jib of a crane, attached to a building development at... Read more

Spain – four employees sanctioned for reporting failures in EMS helicopter

Spain – four employees sanctioned for reporting failures in EMS helicopter

22-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

At least 40 employees of the 061 – the Spanish public health emergency organisation – staged a protest in Granada last week at the opening of four disciplinary cases.  Two EMS workers, a doctor and a health and safety representative are central to the situation which concerns “safety deficiencies” in the operation of the helicopter... Read more

EC225s to fly short crew-only flights over land

EC225s to fly short crew-only flights over land

20-Jan-2013Source: Step Change in Safety

Helicopter operators are maintaining readiness for the return to service of EC225s. An element of this are short maintenance flights over land. The 20-minute flights will take place without passengers and are intended to keep the aircraft within their maintenance certification, meaning they won’t have to be placed for long periods in storage. As these... Read more

Eurocopter’s EC225 theory not proven – more testing, more delays

Eurocopter’s EC225 theory not proven – more testing, more delays

18-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter

For the past weeks, Eurocopter has continued to regularly communicate with oil and gas customers/operators and industry representatives concerning the EC225 main gearbox shaft failures, while respecting the confidentiality of the official accident investigation. The company has provided an overview of its approach to the root cause analysis performed during the past several weeks and... Read more

FAA change rating of NVG maintainers

FAA change rating of NVG maintainers

18-Jan-2013Source: FAA

1. Purpose of This Notice. This notice explains to airworthiness aviation safety inspectors (ASI) a different rating for the maintenance of night vision goggles (NVG). 2. Audience. The primary audience for this notice is airworthiness ASIs who certificate repair stations that maintain night vision goggles. 3. Where You Can Find This Notice. You can find... Read more

Eurocopter Canada Accepting Nominations for ‘Innovation in Safety Award

Eurocopter Canada Accepting Nominations for ‘Innovation in Safety Award

17-Jan-2013Source: Eurocopter Canada

Eurocopter Canada Limited (ECL) will recognize outstanding achievement with its presentation of the 2nd Annual ‘Innovation in Safety Award’. This award was established as a benchmark in which to measure the advanced achievements accomplished by groups, companies, organizations or agencies in maintaining Canadian rotary wing safe flying operations, while employing an exceptional or groundbreaking approach.... Read more

North Carolina Safety Seminar Success Despite Weather

North Carolina Safety Seminar Success Despite Weather

17-Jan-2013Source: HAI

On Tues., Jan. 15, HAI Director of Safety Stan Rose joined the FAA Safety Team in hosting a seminar for helicopter pilots at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. More than 80 local pilots from law enforcement, air medical, NASCAR team flight departments, and other operations gathered to hear presentations on a variety of... Read more

Helicopter crash – central London UK

Helicopter crash – central London UK

16-Jan-2013Source: Helihub.com

An AgustaWestland AW109E helicopter crashed this morning in central London’s rush hour – around 8am.  The helicopter was en route from Redhill to Elstree, but diverting into Battersea Heliport due to poor visibility, when it hit a crane on a block of flats, and crashed to ground in flames.  Two cars were reported hit and... Read more

Columbia announces Memorial Fund for families of Peruvian crash

Columbia announces Memorial Fund for families of Peruvian crash

16-Jan-2013Source: Columbia Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters announces the establishment of a memorial fund that will assist the families of the seven employees who perished in a recent helicopter crash in Peru. The funds raised will be distributed equally among all families. The “CHI 241 Peru Memorial Fund” has been created at Wells Fargo banks, which can accept donations at... Read more

British S300 crash lawsuit plays out in the US

British S300 crash lawsuit plays out in the US

15-Jan-2013

Negligence claims over a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two Britons should remain in the US, a judge has ruled. (see full story) We also found this document online relating to this case File photo... Read more

First R22 blade recovered from Tampa Bay

First R22 blade recovered from Tampa Bay

13-Jan-2013Source: Tampa Bay Online

Following Robinson’s offer of a reward for the recovery of the two blades of an R22 involved in a fatal accident, the first blade has now been brought up and the second one sighted (see full story)  File photo... Read more

Joint HAI/AHS Meeting on Airworthiness, CBM and HUMS

Joint HAI/AHS Meeting on Airworthiness, CBM and HUMS

13-Jan-2013Source: HAI

The American Helicopter Society (AHS) Redstone Chapter, with sponsorship from HAI, is hosting a Technical Specialists’ Meeting on Airworthiness, Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), and Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) from February 11-13, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The meeting will present applicable technologies that are new to continued airworthiness, current and potential processes,... Read more

Custom Helicopters loses JetRanger on collapsing ice floe

Custom Helicopters loses JetRanger on collapsing ice floe

11-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site.  Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred.  Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more

British instructor found guilty in fatal Gazelle crash case

British instructor found guilty in fatal Gazelle crash case

10-Jan-2013Source: BBC

The jury found the instructor guilty of making a false representation with intent to deceive the Civil Aviation Authority. He will be sentenced next month.  (see full story). File photo... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2013

UK AAIB Bulletin – January 2013

10-Jan-2013Source: AAIB

The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Agusta Bell 206B Jet Ranger II, (G-SUEZ), engine failure and a forced landing, Perthshire, 20 February 2012... Read more

Columbia Helicopters confirms Peru accident

Columbia Helicopters confirms Peru accident

9-Jan-2013Source: Columbia Helicopters

Columbia Helicopters sadly confirms the loss of seven employees in a crash of a Model 234 helicopter in Peru. The employees included five American citizens and two Peruvian citizens. The helicopter was working near Pucallpa, Peru, under contract to support petroleum exploration operations. No other persons were on board the tandem-rotor helicopter when it was... Read more

Pawan Hans pilot reported by company’s own Pilots Guild

Pawan Hans pilot reported by company’s own Pilots Guild

8-Jan-2013Source: Mumbai Mirror

The Director General of Civil Aviation has instituted an inquiry into a night flight undertaken by a Pawan Hans helicopter on December 27 last year to Bhopal and Indore from Delhi despite the pilot-in-command not being qualified to fly after sunset. (see full story).  File photo... Read more

Columbia Helicopters Chinook down in Peru with 7 fatalities

Columbia Helicopters Chinook down in Peru with 7 fatalities

8-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site.  Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred.  Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more

CHC Safety & Quality Summit 2013 – New Pre-Summit Course

CHC Safety & Quality Summit 2013 – New Pre-Summit Course

7-Jan-2013Source: CHC

Accident/Incident Response Preparedness  March 21-23 (2.5 days) Course Description: This course is designed for individuals who are involved in either preparing for an accident or responding to one as a representative of their organization.  It is based on the premise that accidents are relatively rare events and organizations may have little experience in dealing with them. ... Read more

Free Helicopter Safety Conference in North Carolina – 15 January

Free Helicopter Safety Conference in North Carolina – 15 January

7-Jan-2013Source: FAAST

Attention all Mid-Atlantic Helicopter pilots! Join us for the very latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry presented by some of the top industry experts in their field. A panel of experts from the FAA Safety Team, CLT FSDO & ATC, North Carolina State Aviation, and Helicopter Association International (HAI) will discuss... Read more

New free online tool for night flight planning

New free online tool for night flight planning

7-Jan-2013Source: www.flyatnight.info

Night flights are challenging. Visual information about the flight environment is greatly reduced as compared to daytime flying and is largely dependent on the amount of celestial illumination encountered throughout the flight. It is therefore of significant importance for the night pilot to know exactly when darkness falls, and if some level of illumination in... Read more

ThedaStar crews review safety protocols

ThedaStar crews review safety protocols

7-Jan-2013Source: Fox11

With a multi-million dollar life-saving tool sitting in the hanger at Theda Clark Hospital, it’s vital for flight crews to know when to use the ThedaStar helicopter and when they have to just say no. (see full story)... Read more

Blue Christmas lights cause ‘difficulties’ for police helicopters

Blue Christmas lights cause ‘difficulties’ for police helicopters

4-Jan-2013Source: BBC

Tactical flight officer PC Paul Gridley said: “When we are approaching a scene, usually at 1000ft, we tend to use the blue lights of emergency vehicles as one way of guiding us into the scene” (see full story)... Read more

Australia – Follow the ATSB on Twitter

Australia – Follow the ATSB on Twitter

4-Jan-2013Source: ATSB

You can now get the latest ATSB news and updates via our Twitter account: @ATSBinfo. We will use Twitter to tell you about a range of activities and initiatives, including: new and updated investigations investigation and research report releases new safety awareness products. Some things to keep in mind The ATSB will not guarantee responding to... Read more

2012 Fatal helicopter accident statistics

2012 Fatal helicopter accident statistics

3-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

HeliHub.com publishes what we believe to be the most comprehensive helicopter accident information available on the internet.  We do not vouch for completeness – and indeed we regularly add more data for both recent and historical events – but from the feedback we receive from our readers, we are confident that we provide a very comprehensive repository of helicopter... Read more

Search ends for R44 in Arizona lake

Search ends for R44 in Arizona lake

3-Jan-2013Source: Payson Roundup

Gila County Sheriff’s Office dive teams scoured the bottom of the lake for more than a week, but found no sign of the helicopter, which splashed into the lake during a sightseeing flight out of Mesa (see full story).  File photo see also the following from HeliHub.com safety data pages – 07-Dec-12 N557AC Robinson R44... Read more

Bad start to 2013 – four helicopters down in US, including two on EMS work

Bad start to 2013 – four helicopters down in US, including two on EMS work

3-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Wednesday 2nd January saw a bad start to 2013 with no fewer than four helicopter accidents in the US already recorded on the HeliHub.com accident pages.  Two of these were EMS helicopters, a Med-Trans Bell 407 in Iowa and an Air Methods EC130 in Oklahoma.  The former occurred after night fall and took the lives... Read more

Robinson offers reward for blades from fatal R22 accident

Robinson offers reward for blades from fatal R22 accident

2-Jan-2013Source: Robinson

On 30 November 2012, a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed into Tampa Bay near Apollo Beach. Most of the helicopter was recovered with the exception of the two main rotor blades. An extensive search of the properties in Apollo Beach was unsuccessful in locating the missing blades. Investigators are confident the blades are located offshore. Robinson... Read more

HeliHub.com reported 3,432 news stories in 2012

HeliHub.com reported 3,432 news stories in 2012

2-Jan-2013Source: HeliHub.com

As we launch into 2013, HeliHub.com is proud to announce that we filed no fewer than 3,432 news stories in 2012.  This averages around 14 stories per working day, and with the rate increasing towards the end of the year, the total for 2013 is expected to be a step-change higher. We are already clear... Read more

Happy Christmas from the HeliHub.com team

Happy Christmas from the HeliHub.com team

21-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com

The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a financially secure 2013. 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... Read more

FAA Safety Briefing now available in ePub and MOBI formats

FAA Safety Briefing now available in ePub and MOBI formats

21-Dec-2012Source: FAA

We received several emails recently about subscribing to an e-reader version of the FAA Safety Briefing magazine. In future GovDelivery email notifications that announce new issues — available by clicking the green “subscribe” check mark found at the top of the FAA Safety Briefing home page at faa.gov/news/safety_briefing — we will include the direct links... Read more

Appareo releases ALERTS software updates

Appareo releases ALERTS software updates

17-Dec-2012Source: Appareo

Appareo Systems has continued to display its commitment to advancing the award-winning ALERTS flight data monitoring system with the release of a significant number of enhancements and new features to its software components. With more than a dozen key improvements across the ALERTS suite, Appareo’s dedication to providing industry-leading safety tools to its customers remains... Read more

Lawyer reminds R44 owners of bladder tank retrofit rebate cut-off date

Lawyer reminds R44 owners of bladder tank retrofit rebate cut-off date

17-Dec-2012Source: Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman

Robinson helicopter crash lawyers, Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, can report that Robinson Helicopter Company’s R44 fuel tank rebate offer is about to expire. After many low impact post-crash fires, the company announced that it was offering a $1,000 incentive to R44 owners who purchase and install their bladder fuel tank kit by December 31,... Read more

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2012

UK AAIB Bulletin – December 2012

11-Dec-2012Source: AAIB

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

Kurt Robinson named to IHST Executive Committee

Kurt Robinson named to IHST Executive Committee

11-Dec-2012Source: IHST

The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), a worldwide organization leading a multi-year effort to enhance safety and reduce the civil helicopter accident rate, has added Robinson Helicopter Company President Kurt Robinson to its Executive Committee. Kurt Robinson heads the Robinson Helicopter Company, which is the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters.  The company of nearly... Read more

HAI hosts ICAP meeting

HAI hosts ICAP meeting

7-Dec-2012Source: HAI

On Dec. 6, HAI hosted the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Interagency Committee for Aviation Policy (ICAP) meeting at the association’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va. HAI Executive Vice President Ed DiCampli took the opportunity to present the outgoing chairperson, Jan Dobbs, the HAI Meritorious Service Award for her distinguished service as the deputy associate administrator of... Read more

Oil & Gas UK Board meet with Eurocopter representatives

Oil & Gas UK Board meet with Eurocopter representatives

5-Dec-2012Source: Oil & Gas UK

Members of Oil & Gas UK’s Board today (Wednesday 5 December) met with senior representatives from Eurocopter in Aberdeen. Eurocopter had been invited to update the group on their investigation into the main bevel gear shaft failures, which led to two ditching incidents earlier in the year. Eurocopter has been carrying out extensive testing of... Read more

Registration opens for CHC Safety and Quality Summit 2013

Registration opens for CHC Safety and Quality Summit 2013

4-Dec-2012Source: CHC

Early bird registration is now open for the 2013 CHC Safety and Quality Summit, the world’s premier aviation safety conference. The CHC Safety and Quality Summit is an internationally recognized aviation-safety conference dedicated to improving safety through excellence in human factors.  This year the summit will revolve around  the theme, “Building an Accident Free Legacy:  Predictive Safety to Avoid... Read more

MEBA to host Middle East/North Africa helicopter safety conference

MEBA to host Middle East/North Africa helicopter safety conference

4-Dec-2012Source: MEBA

The Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) event is providing an important platform for the Middle East/North Africa Helicopter Safety Team (MENA HST –www.gfsc.aero ) to converge for their quarterly safety conference – complimenting the new Helicopters@MEBA feature. MEBA takes place in 2 weeks – 11 to 13 December 2012 at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai... Read more

AAIB issues Special Report on latest EC225 ditching

AAIB issues Special Report on latest EC225 ditching

29-Nov-2012Source: AAIB

Report name: S7/2012 – EC225 LP Super Puma, G-CHCN Registration: G-CHCN Type: EC225 LP Super Puma Location: In the North Sea, approximately 32 nm southwest of Sumburgh, Shetland Islands Date of occurrence: 22 October 2012 Category: Commercial Air Transport – Rotorcraft Summary:  This Special Bulletin contains information on the progress of the investigation into identifying... Read more

Helicopter sprays sewage on firefighters

Helicopter sprays sewage on firefighters

28-Nov-2012Source: Sydney Morning Herald

A water-bombing helicopter has mistakenly sprayed partially treated sewage onto firefighters battling a blaze on the NSW mid-north coast. (see full story)  File photo... Read more

Transport Canada admits shortage of aviation safety inspectors

Transport Canada admits shortage of aviation safety inspectors

28-Nov-2012Source: Vancouver Sun

Transport Canada admitted Tuesday it is short of nearly 100 inspectors (see full story)... Read more

VVMC Bell 407 back in the air after arson attack

VVMC Bell 407 back in the air after arson attack

28-Nov-2012

A lot of the repairs were “cosmetic,” he said. Many of the plastic fittings had melted and were changed out. The wiring harness from the control panel of the cockpit was changed. Fibreglass windows were replaced. The craft’s blades were changed out as well – the work cost around $250K (see full story) The story... Read more

Kazakhstan asks French satellite experts to help find missing Mi-8

Kazakhstan asks French satellite experts to help find missing Mi-8

28-Nov-2012Source: TengriNews

Kazakhstan has applied to French experts asking them to help in the search for the missing helicopter with 8 crew members on board – which was patrolling an oil pipeline (see full story) HeliHub.com has a safety data page at 24-Nov-12 Mil Mi-8 Kazakhstan where we will add other details as they emerge... Read more

Malaysian authorities had concerns with pilot’s documents before fatal crash

Malaysian authorities had concerns with pilot’s documents before fatal crash

25-Nov-2012

German pilot Rico Steger was already the focus of “enquiries regarding the flying records and permit” three weeks prior to an accident which killed the three passengers aboard the EC120 he was flying.  This local news report covers this aspect and various other details. The HeliHub.com accident page is at 20-Jul-12 N8899 Eurocopter EC120 Sri... Read more

Azur Helicoptere fined €80,000 over fatal June 2009 crash

Azur Helicoptere fined €80,000 over fatal June 2009 crash

25-Nov-2012

Azur Helicopter and its Chairman were found guilty on 10th October of “manslaughter by breach of an obligation of safety or prudence.”.  This week they have been given a fine of  €80,000 (see full story). The accident is in the HeliHub.com accident database at 20-Jun-09 F-GTRF Eurocopter AS350B2 Mount Cordon, France (7F)... Read more

Eurocopter targets February 2013 for EC225 fix

Eurocopter targets February 2013 for EC225 fix

21-Nov-2012Source: Eurocopter

Please find below the latest information following a meeting with the Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) on November 15, with the participation of Eurocopter President and CEO Lutz Bertling and Eurocopter Executive Vice President Engineering Jean-Brice Dumont. The goal of this meeting was to provide more information on the current investigation and the ongoing tests... Read more

HAI enlists industry help to stop amendment SA2060

HAI enlists industry help to stop amendment SA2060

21-Nov-2012Source: HAI

One of the measures on tap for the U.S. Congress’s lame duck session is to pass a bill that would reform the Postal Service (S.1789), due to its serious financial issues. However, the bill contains an amendment (SA2060) that would permit all federal agencies to attend only one association meeting per year. The category of “association meetings”... Read more

New Mexico Safety Seminar to become annual event

New Mexico Safety Seminar to become annual event

20-Nov-2012Source: HAI

Following on from the success of the recent meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., the New Mexico Helicopter Safety Seminar is set to become an annual event. More than 50 pilots attended the Nov. 14 seminar where they received the very latest information on the safety issues facing the rotorcraft industry, presented by some of the top... Read more

National Park Service issues statement on R22 crash

National Park Service issues statement on R22 crash

19-Nov-2012Source: National Park Service

The National Park Service released a statement this morning regarding the Oct. 3 helicopter crash in North Cascades National Park:- On October 4th, rangers received a report that a leased Robinson 22 helicopter had crashed the day before in a remote area of the park about six miles south of the international border with Canada.... Read more

Atlanta Police return to the air

Atlanta Police return to the air

19-Nov-2012

The Atlanta Police Department’s small fleet of helicopters is scheduled to return to the air Monday, two weeks after the crash of their OH-6A N368PD that killed two law enforcement officers. (see full story)  File photo... Read more

Jury finds defect in Eurocopter AS350B3 Flight Control System

Jury finds defect in Eurocopter AS350B3 Flight Control System

19-Nov-2012Source: YES Communications

On Friday, November 16, 2012, an El Paso, Texas jury found a defective flight control component caused the fatal crash of a U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter on May 22, 2007.  The crash killed the pilot and critically injured the other crewmember. The two-week trial centered on claims by the pilot’s... Read more

Two Pasadena Police OH-58s contact each other

Two Pasadena Police OH-58s contact each other

18-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com

A pair of law enforcement Bell OH-58s came into contact with each other on Saturday, just as one was in the process of landing and the other taking off.  Pasadena Police are now two helicopters down, but still have four others immediately available according to a local television interview. Both helicopters ended up on their... Read more

ATSB warns of the risks surrounding practice autorotations

ATSB warns of the risks surrounding practice autorotations

15-Nov-2012Source: ATSB

As a result of the ATSB investigation and in order to reduce the level of risk associated with emergency training, a helicopter operator is investigating amendments to their company operations manual. One amendment being investigated by the operator is the requirement for at least 10 kts of wind in the runway direction for the performance... Read more

Midwest Helicopter Safety Seminar Success

Midwest Helicopter Safety Seminar Success

14-Nov-2012Source: HAI

On Sat., Nov. 10, HAI sponsored a safety seminar at Helicopters Inc.’s FBO at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in St. Louis, Mo. The FAA Safety Team brought together a group of more than 70 helicopter operators and pilots, and provided speakers on a variety of helicopter safety subjects. Topics covered included helicopter accident trends,... Read more

Rotor Safety Challenge to debut at Heli-Expo 2013

Rotor Safety Challenge to debut at Heli-Expo 2013

13-Nov-2012Source: HAI

At HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas, HAI and the HAI Safety Committee will debut the Rotor Safety Challenge — a convenient and economical way to learn industry best practices and safety tools and techniques you can apply back on the job. Free to all HELI-EXPO® attendees and conveniently scheduled on show days, the Rotor Safety Challenge... Read more

Watch out for wires, says ATSB

Watch out for wires, says ATSB

13-Nov-2012Source: ATSB

The ATSB’s investigation into a wirestrike accident highlights the importance of a proper reconnaissance when flying in a wire environment and remaining focused only on operational tasks. On 12 June 2012, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Raven 1 helicopter departed Moorabbin Airport, Victoria with one person on board to conduct a private flight to a... Read more

Helicopter pilot commended for fire bucket rescue incident

Helicopter pilot commended for fire bucket rescue incident

13-Nov-2012Source: OPB

An Oregon helicopter pilot who rescued a firefighter from the Pole Creek Fire this summer says he feared for his job after the incident.  But a new Forest Service review commends both men for their quick thinking and decisive actions. (see full story)  File photo... Read more

HAI and industry urge continued NAS-UAS integration

HAI and industry urge continued NAS-UAS integration

9-Nov-2012Source: HAI

HAI President Matt Zuccaro and 19 other aviation industry leaders have sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on behalf of their associations, urging the FAA to continue to press forward with the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). “… As a goal, the FAA should ensure that... Read more

Midwest Helicopter Safety Seminar – BBQ and Helicopters!

Midwest Helicopter Safety Seminar – BBQ and Helicopters!

9-Nov-2012Source: HAI

Fly in or drive to this FREE workshop for all helicopter pilots, operators, students, and instructors in the Midwest region! Join HAI’s safety director, the FAA Safety Team, a cast of industry experts and your peers in the goal to reach the highest level of safety! Topics will cover helicopter accident trends, human factors, wire... Read more

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