13-Dec-2011
Pilot elected to make an emergency landing, which was executed safely with no damage to the helicopter... Read more
13-Dec-2011
“fell to the ground from low level” – tail boom severed by main blades, skids collapsed. 5 POB but none were patients.... Read more
12-Dec-2011Source: Living Legends
The 9th Annual “Living Legends of Aviation”® Awards, presented by Learjet, welcomes ONEflight International as a Presenting Sponsor.  The awards will be held January 20, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton. Considered the most prestigious and important recognition event of aviation, this intimate, memorable, and historic evening of aviation awards and entertainment will feature Morgan Freeman, with a special... Read more
12-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion is to acquire a pair of new Bell 407s, providing airborne law enforcment capability for the first time in this Asian country. Commander M Sohail of the RAB has confirmed that the police authorities signed a contract with Bell Helicopter Asia on June 23rd 2011. The deal, valued at 57 crore... Read more
12-Dec-2011Source: INAER
In the city of Puerto Varas has been installed an emergency helicopter operations center for southern Chile. At the base, a Bell 212 helicopter will operate, equipped with a mobile ICU and medical equipment for the patient to receive the first care, stabilization in the accident site and care during transport to hospital. “The use of helicopters to evacuate critically... Read more
12-Dec-2011
One of two OH-58Ds which crashed around the same time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on night training flights. Each involved 2 fatalities. Not yet released whether it was one accident or two. The four were named as Capt. Anne M. Montgomery, and Chief Warrant Officers Frank A. Buoniconti, Joseph S. Satterfield and Lucas Daniel Sigfrid... Read more
12-Dec-2011
One of two OH-58Ds which crashed around the same time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on night training flights. Each involved 2 fatalities. Not yet released whether it was one accident or two. The four were named as Capt. Anne M. Montgomery, and Chief Warrant Officers Frank A. Buoniconti, Joseph S. Satterfield and Lucas Daniel Sigfrid... Read more
12-Dec-2011
Damaged in hangar prior to being put into service. Fixed wing aircraft manoevred and struck helicopter twice, causing two long scratches, which are reported as “relatively minor” were then covered up using a marker pen. All activity caught on hangar video surveillance. Gadsden Police on the case... Read more
12-Dec-2011
Precautionary landing after “Engine out” warning. Maintenance engineers attended scene and reportedly “repaired the faulty wiring”... Read more
11-Dec-2011Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Dec. 6 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Hungary for the modification and inspection of 32 UH-1N Utility Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $426 million. The Government of Hungary has requested a possible sale of... Read more
9-Dec-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded an $85,201,239 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the software upgrades in support of the H-1 Upgrade Program. This contract includes design, development, studies, and implementation of the upgrades to existing software and ancillary hardware and/or improved functionality and obsolescence management of the aircraft. Work will be... Read more
8-Dec-2011Source: Med-Trans
Med-Trans Corp., a leader in the air medical industry is pleased to announce that their Southeast Texas Air Rescue program was recently named the Texas EMS Air Medical Service of the Year. The Department of Health and Human Services recently presented the award to the Air Rescue team at the Texas EMS Conference in Austin,... Read more
8-Dec-2011
Pilot Richard Bran put the police helicopter down in a built up area after an unnamed problem... Read more
7-Dec-2011Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received two contracts totaling $30.6 million from the Naval Surface Warfare Center for the Target Sight System (TSS), the fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. These contracts will provide spare units and parts as well as program support for the AH-1Z fleet. The Naval Surface Warfare... Read more
5-Dec-2011Source: Star-Telegram
On Friday morning in Fort Worth, 45 Bell employees were given their walking papers because their positions had been moved to Amarillo. (see full story)... Read more
3-Dec-2011
Tailrotor struck a mound of dirt on landing... Read more
2-Dec-2011Source: Scotts Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc. will be exhibiting a refurbished 47G-2A at the NAAA (National Agricultural Aviation Association) Convention Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada Dec 6-7. This helicopter, operated by sister company Scott’s Helicopter Services, Inc., is an example of the quality of refurbishment that SB47 hopes to offer to the marketplace in the... Read more
2-Dec-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it delivered two Bell 412s to the Sri Lanka Air Force during a ceremony at its facility in Piney Flats, Tennessee. “We’ve had a strong partnership with the Sri Lanka Air Force for more than 40 years,†said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president for... Read more
1-Dec-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has received five firm orders with two potential follow-on orders for Bell 412s from PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for delivery to government agencies in Indonesia. “Bell Helicopter has had a long partnership with PTDI in Indonesia,†said Larry D. Roberts, senior vice president, Bell... Read more
1-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Italian Carabinieri have moved on from using AB206 JetRangers, largely concentrating on variants of the AgustaWestland AW109, most recently the AW109N Nexus. Twenty AB206 JetRangers previously used by the Italian law enforcement agency have been sold to the Argentine Army, where they will be allocated to the 602 Commando Company and based at Campo... Read more
1-Dec-2011Source: NZ CAA
Main Rotor Blades – Inspection and Replacement... Read more
1-Dec-2011
Autorotated into the water and rolled over... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions
United Rotorcraft Solutions, located in Decatur, TX, recently secured the completion contract to outfit HALO-Flight, Inc’s third Bell 407 Helicopter. In late October, HALO-Flight purchased an additional aircraft to meet the needs of its 26-county service area. “We selected United Rotorcraft for the task because of our past experience with the company and their new... Read more
30-Nov-2011Source: Heliflite
“Florida is a popular travel destination for our clientele,” states Brian Lantier, Director of Strategy and Business Development at HeliFlite. “The demand for charter operations has increased significantly over the years. The ability to save time by flying directly to top golf courses, Miami or Disney World is a huge convenience.” Florida operations will be based out of West Palm... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: AAR
AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised two renewal options for AAR to provide airlift support in Afghanistan through October of 2012. The first option has a value of $99 million and is part of a task order awarded to AAR in October, 2010. The second option has... Read more
29-Nov-2011Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has finalised the transaction with Bell Helicopter Textron for the acquisition of the 609 tiltrotor programme. All legal and regulatory approvals have now been successfully completed. The development of the AW609 tiltrotor programme is now moving forward under full AgustaWestland control with civil certification expected... Read more
29-Nov-2011
Rio Tinto’s sponsorship of $1M a year over the next 10 years will be in addition to what the State Government provides. EMQ are looking at using the first year of the Rio Tinto funds to increase the fuel capacity (and thus range) of their three AW139s. (see full story) Photos reproduced with prior permission... Read more
28-Nov-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that its newest version of the popular Bell 407 – the 407GX – has earned European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification following its certification by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this year. Since the Bell 407GX was introduced in March at... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Air Evac Lifeteam have upgraded their base at Carrizo Springs Airport in Texas – about 125 miles south-west of San Antonio. Known as “Lifeteam 71”, this base previously flew a LongRanger, they now have a Bell 407 in the same colour scheme Photos were released on AEL71’s Facebook page William P Johnson – HeliHub.com US... Read more
25-Nov-2011Source: Star Telegram
Bell Helicopter has notified about 65 of its Fort Worth materiel buyers whose positions are being moved to Amarillo that Dec. 2 will be their last day of work, according to their union leader. (see full story)... Read more
25-Nov-2011
Impacted terrain close to company helipad. Local DGAC records show the helicopter was only certified in Ecuador 7 days before. Four occupants – Pilot Patricio Villalba, front seat passenger Jorge Luis Villegas and two mechanics Luis Ferrario and Pedro Medina were all injured... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: Dart Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada approval of DART Aerospace’s Ltd. (DAS) Quick Release Heli-Access-Step™ for the Bell 206L/L1/L3/L4 and 407 series of aircraft. FAA and EASA approvals are pending. The Quick Release Heli-Access-Step™ installs easily to existing Quick Release Heli-Utility-Basket™ mounts. The step can be quickly mounted by one person... Read more
24-Nov-2011Source: NTSB
On November 15, 2011, at 0837 mountain standard time, a restricted category Williams Helicopter Corporation, UH-1H, N502AW, experienced a loss of power, made a hard landing, and came to rest on its right side about 3 miles northwest of the Valle Airport (40G), Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot operated the helicopter under the provisions of... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, was awarded a $10,537,813 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of one standard commercially configured Bell 412 enhanced performance helicopter with optional equipment requirements and complementary pilot and maintainer training. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas; Quebec, Canada; and Piney Flats, Tenn., with an estimated... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: US Army
A needed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior was returned to the fight when Corpus Christi Army Depot Commander, Col. Christopher B. Carlile handed the newly repaired KW’s log books to 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade Commander, Col. John M. Morgan during a transfer ceremony held during the Luther Jones Professional Aviation Forum at the American Bank... Read more
21-Nov-2011Source: Australian Flying
Hawker Pacific has added the Bell 429 Helicopter to its Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facility (CSF) at Bankstown Airport. (see full story)... Read more
18-Nov-2011
The families of three state Fish and Game employees from Fresno who were killed when their helicopter hit a utility line last year will receive a cash settlement from Southern California Edison, according to the families’ attorneys. (see full story) HeliHub.com page for this accident is at 05-Jan-10 N5016U Bell B206 nr Redinger Lake, US-California... Read more
18-Nov-2011Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) Integrated Avionics System played a key role in preparing the AH-1Z helicopter for its first operational deployment, marking the initial opportunity for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters to work together as a team. The AH-1Z and its sister aircraft, the UH-1Y, are deployed aboard the USSMakin Island with the 11th Marine... Read more
18-Nov-2011
Gear collapsed on landing... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Brunei military
The Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce the contract award for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Support Helicopter Project to Sikorsky International Operations, Inc, United States of America. The project is for the supply of twelve (12) BLACKHAWK S-70i helicopters to replace the current fleet of Bell 212 and BO105 helicopters... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Scott's Bell 47
Scott’s – Bell 47, Inc., is excited to announce an agreement with Oregon Aero, Inc. to development an improved Seat System and modern Interior solutions for the model 47 fleet. Oregon Aero, Inc. is a leader in engineering, testing, certifying and manufacturing advanced seating & interior systems for aircraft and other applications. The company has... Read more
17-Nov-2011Source: Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces (CF) mission deployed in Kingston, Jamaica, formally lowered the Maple Leaf flag today to mark the end of Operation JAGUAR and celebrate the successful completion of its mandate. “Canada and Jamaica enjoy close, long-standing and historic bilateral relations. The Canadian Forces have enjoyed a productive 45-year relationship with the Jamaica Defence Force,... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
Kenya Wildlife Service has recently taken delivery of a brand new Bell 407 helicopter at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Â This has given the organisation an increase of internal capacity for aerial surveys, and to transport workers to locations where they need to deal with vital situations. At the handover, KWS Executive Director Julius Kipngetich said that... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter’s President & CEO John Garrison presents Hareb Thani Hareb Al Dhaheri, CEO for Horizon Flight Training Academy, with a model of a Bell 407 to recognize the long-standing relationship between the companies. Horizon Flight Training Academy currently operates the largest fleet of training helicopters in the Middle East. It will have 15 Bell... Read more
16-Nov-2011Source: GAMA
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has announced that its Board of Directors has voted to expand the Association’s membership to include rotorcraft manufacturers and to accept one of the world’s leading companies, Bell Helicopter, as the first GAMA member from this sector of general aviation products. “We are very excited about working formally to... Read more
15-Nov-2011
Hard landing – starboard gear collapsed. Pilot identified as 57-year-old Jeff Boatman... Read more
14-Nov-2011Source: Cheyenne RMC
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is expanding its emergency care across the region with the addition of an AirLife Denver medical helicopter service in Cheyenne. The new service is a partnership between Cheyenne Regional and HCA-HealthONE, which operates AIRLIFE Denver. Cheyenne Regional’s new blue and sonic green helicopter will be stationed in Cheyenne and will provide air ambulance... Read more
14-Nov-2011Source: Bell
The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company [NYSE: TXT] and The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced that the V-22 Osprey titlrotor will be featured at the Dubai International Air Show in the United Arab Emirates from November 13 – 17. “The Dubai Air Show is one of the... Read more
14-Nov-2011
Crashed while lifting Christmas trees, pilot injured... Read more
13-Nov-2011Source: Meeker-AirFilm
Meeker-AirFilm  are pleased to announce we have received: FAA / STC’s : SR02377LA and SR02376LA for our Bell 429 nose and aft mounts for: camera / sensor / searchlights. Working directly with Bell Helicopters, the mounts were developed to allow 429 operators to meet various mission requirements The nose mount offers these distinct features: nose... Read more
12-Nov-2011Source: Helicopter Seychelles
Cheers and rejoicing erupted among Helicopter Seychelles staff tonight as the company received approval to resume full commercial passenger flights. The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority has awarded an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the operator following a lengthy and complex application process. Passenger flights will begin on Sunday. The company will offer day and night-time... Read more
12-Nov-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will showcase the Bell 429, Bell 407AH as well as the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor during the 2011 Dubai Airshow. This marks the first time the V-22 and Bell 407AH will be on public display in the Middle East. “Bell Helicopter will have three of its game-changing... Read more
12-Nov-2011Source: BAE Systems
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps recently successfully fired the first shots of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS) from a UH-1Y helicopter, in preparation for fielding in 2012. The successful shots, which took place at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, California, Sept. 9-13, mark the start of APKWS... Read more
12-Nov-2011Source: Star-Telegram
Judge ruled that Michael Prieto and his lawyer Hal Gillespie failed to prove that he was fired for investigating whether Bell was overcharging the U.S. government on military contracts. (See full story)... Read more
11-Nov-2011Source: DART Helicopter Services
DART Helicopter Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Transport Canada, FAA and EASA approval of DART Aerospace Ltd’s (DAS) stainless steel Run-on Landing Wearplates for the Bell 206L/L1/L3/L4 and 407 Standard Skidtubes and Float Skidtubes. DART Aerospace’s Ltd. (DAS) traditional wearplates and wearpads are designed for durability under normal wear conditions. However, training and run-on landings... Read more
11-Nov-2011Source: Paravion Technology
Paravion Technology, Inc has recently released another innovative product fueled by customer demand and operational necessity. The EGHW-100 kit is a pair of compact emergency ground handling wheels which easily stow in a small area of the baggage compartment or other storage area during flights. Quick and simple to use in the situation of an... Read more
10-Nov-2011Source: HeliFlite
ARGUS recognizes HeliFlite’s ongoing commitment to safety by renewing their Platinum Safety Rating through 2012. “It is great to see operations like HeliFlite, who acknowledge the importance of building an organization focused around safety and quality, maintain the ARGUS Platinum Ratingâ€, said ARGUS President and CEO, Joseph Moeggenberg. “HeliFlite should be proud to be one... Read more
8-Nov-2011Source: CNN
A 60-year-old woman on Sunday became the third person to die as a result of a helicopter crash last month in New York’s East River, said a spokeswoman for the city’s medical examiner’s office. (see full story)... Read more
4-Nov-2011Source: HeliHub.com
The Dubai Air Wing have recently sold an Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger III to Germany. Previously operating in the Middle East emirate as DU-144, the JetRanger is now registered as D-HAMM with Agrar Heliflug, and was noted at their heliport at Ahlen. It is serial number 8692, built in 1985 Agusta built less than fifty more... Read more
4-Nov-2011Source: FAA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2011-1188; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-46-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 Helicopters Preamble Information AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ———————————————————————– SUMMARY: This document proposes superseding four existing airworthiness... Read more
4-Nov-2011Source: FAA
Certain main rotor blade assemblies... Read more
3-Nov-2011
Emergency services attended a helicopter that made a hard landing in a residential area, and was “leaking fluid”. Photographs appear to show the skids have been deformed and the tail touching the ground. Location is just north of Pierce Field (10AZ).... Read more
2-Nov-2011Source: Star-Telegram
Bell Helicopter plans to build a new office building and training academy at its east Fort Worth headquarters complex and relocate hundreds of employees who now work at Alliance Airport and other area locations. (see full story)... Read more
2-Nov-2011Source: Canadian Forces
The first half of October was incredibly busy for Task Force Jamaica; the team reached a new milestone and completed our first weather-related mission since our deployment in mid-August. During the weekend of 15–16 October, while most Jamaicans were enjoying a long weekend culminating in National Heroes’ Day (celebrated annually on the third Monday in... Read more
2-Nov-2011
3 POB all fatally injured. CADAORS 2011O3324. Deceased named as pilotGreg Sawyer (39) and two engineers with forest products company Tembec -Dan Simis (47) and Chad McQuade (37)... Read more
1-Nov-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, in partnership with Corpus Christi Army Depot and the Armed Scout Helicopter Project Management Office, delivered the first OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Wartime Replacement Aircraft to the United States Army at a special ceremony. The aircraft was the first of a contracted 19 in the Army’s Wartime Replacement... Read more
31-Oct-2011Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Turkey for three AH-1W SUPER COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $111 million. The Government of Turkey has requested a possible sale of three AH-1W SUPER COBRA... Read more
31-Oct-2011Source: Donaldson
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of the Donaldson Company, Inc. announced today that it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for the Bell 230 helicopter. The aircraft will be added to an existing Supplemental Type Certificate for the Bell 430 helicopter. With this new IBF solution,... Read more
28-Oct-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Factual Report, the contents of which are the responsibility of the NTSB. As this is not the Final Report, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon:- On October 15, 2011, at 1933 UTC, a Bell 412SP, YV0126, registered to and operated by Electrificacion del... Read more
28-Oct-2011Source: NTSB
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 4, 2011, at 1525 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N63Q, registered to a private owner, crashed... Read more
27-Oct-2011Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has delivered four Bell aircraft into Mexico – three Bell 412s and the first Bell 429 into Mexico earlier this year. The three Bell 412s were delivered to Heliservicio Campeche to support its oil & gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Bell Helicopter... Read more
