14-Dec-2021Source: 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
15-Nov-2021
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Bell 407 (N120HH), engine failure and autorotation, Long Marston, Warwickshire, 24 June 2020 Robinson R44 II (G-OPDG), loss of rotor rpm when landing, Maghera, County Londonderry, 22 July 2021 Rotorway Executive 162F (G-OHOV), power loss followed... Read more
15-Oct-2021
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
4-Oct-2021
During logging operations, the helicopter crashed into the water and sank. Pilot assumed drowned... Read more
20-Sep-2021Source: CHC
CHC circulated the following just before the weekend We hope this finds you and your team safe and well. We would like to share a short update on this year’s CHC Safety & Quality Summit. We are committed to holding an in-person Safety & Quality Summit in an environment that is safe and accessible for... Read more
15-Sep-2021
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Reissued report: Guimbal Cabri G2 (G-PERH), loss of control in hover, Goodwood Aerodrome, Sussex, 8 June 2018... Read more
2-Sep-2021Source: FAA
Shining a laser at an aircraft poses a serious safety threat and can result in large fines and criminal penalties. Working to identify trends in laser strikes, the U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed a visualization tool that analyzes laser strike data from 2010 to 2020. Using the Tableau software platform, the tool... Read more
15-Aug-2021
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky S-92A (G-LAWX), near controlled flight into terrain, private landing site near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, 14 October 2019 AW109SP (G-TAAS), bird strike through left windshield, Carsington Water, Derbyshire, 22 April 2021... Read more
9-Aug-2021Source: EASA
Despite the extraordinary challenges created by the pandemic, the EASA Annual Safety Review 2021 shows that the aviation safety system remains resilient but under pressure. The overall safety picture for EASA Member States is relatively stable. As activity ramps up with the loosening of COVID-related restrictions, the situation must be closely monitored. This edition of... Read more
23-Jul-2021Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R44 (G-CLIO), hard landing in field, private landing site, Holmfirth, North Yorkshire, 17 December 2020 ... Read more
19-Jul-2021Source: US Navy
A Navy MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter crashed near Mt. Hogue, California at approximately 5 p.m. on July 16, while conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations. All four crewmembers survived the crash without injury and have been safely recovered. The aircraft, call sign Longhorn 02, was supporting Mono County search and rescue efforts to locate a lost... Read more
14-Jul-2021Source: Metro Aviation
Metro Aviation is constantly looking for new opportunities to maximize safety efforts, and recently added an extra layer of safety for pilots flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Single-Pilot IFR in a helicopter requires high levels of skill, training, and professional aptitude. Metro worked with Foreflight to increase each pilot’s situational awareness by providing a... Read more
13-Jul-2021Source: Air Methods
On Tuesday, July 6th, Air Methods (AMC), the leading air medical service in the country, received its letter of acknowledgement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepting AMC’s Safety Management System (SMS). In the United States there are 1,977 Part 135 operators, and Air Methods is one of 21 to receive this recognition. “At Air... Read more
12-Jul-2021Source: HeliHub.com
Yesterday saw two twin-turbine helicopters have accidents in Spain. In the early hours of the morning, a Customs AS365N3 Dauphin operated by Eliance was chasing a boat crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, suspected of drug running. No details have yet been released as to the circumstances of how the helicopter ended up in the water. ... Read more
23-Jun-2021Source: NECN
Vanessa Bryant has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the company that owned and operated the helicopter that crashed in Calabasas last year, killing her husband — Laker legend Kobe Bryant — and their 13-year-old daughter, according to court papers filed Tuesday. Full story here... Read more
22-Jun-2021Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an additional way for its engineers, safety inspectors, systems safety specialists and other aviation safety employees to report safety-related issues and concerns. Information shared and submitted via this new system will be used to validate or verify an aviation safety concern, identify the root... Read more
22-Jun-2021Source: EASA
On June 8-10, 2021 EASA hosted the virtual SAFE360° conference that brought together over 2,000 industry experts to identify practical solutions to the most important safety issues faced by the industry today. The conference consisted of high-level and 360° panels as well as number of safety workshops and specialist break-out sessions. You can download the... Read more
21-Jun-2021Source: EASA
In a further step to improve rotorcraft safety by mitigating the risk of human error at the design stage and to better support the investigation of rotorcraft accidents and incidents, EASA published ED Decision 2021/010/R. The introduction of systematic considerations related to Human Factors during the rotorcraft design process is expected to reduce the risk of... Read more
15-Jun-2021Source: Airbus
The “Civil Helicopter – Innovation in Rotary-wing Safety Award” was launched today at Rotortech, to encourage, recognise and celebrate Australian based rotary wing organisations, groups, and agencies who have made a significant contribution to improve safety performance. To be eligible, nominees must be an Australia Pacific based rotary wing organisation, group, company or agency, and... Read more
10-Jun-2021Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Rotorway Executive 90 (G-BVTV), dynamic rollover during landing, Landmead Farm Airfield, Oxfordshire, 4 November 2020 EC175B (G-EMEB), alternator pinion bearing failure within the left accessory gearbox, Aberdeen Airport, 23 September 2020... Read more
7-Jun-2021Source: HeliHub.com
A newly delivered AW139 had an accident during a night training flight last week which will likely lead to the aircraft being declared a write-off. Delivered new from the US production line in Philadelphia, PR-OTF was ferried between 10 and 17 April through to the Omni base at Macapa in north-east Brazil. A week later,... Read more
3-Jun-2021Source: HAI
International rotorcraft safety organizations, regional safety teams, and other global safety stakeholders are pleased to announce the establishment of the Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST). In cooperation and collaboration with the worldwide vertical flight community, VAST aims to achieve a vision of zero fatal accidents, providing “Safety Above All.” In pursuit of that vision, VAST... Read more
18-May-2021Source: USHST
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) and Helicopter Association International (HAI) are pleased to announce that the final phase of the USHST’s “56 Seconds to Live” Unintended Flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (UIMC) Awareness and Prevention Course is now live and available for use by pilots. This one-hour course provides pilots with scenario-based training designed... Read more
13-May-2021Source: 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
9-Apr-2021Source: HAI
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) met April 6, 2021, to select the items for the agency’s 2021–2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Two of the 10 items on the list would affect the rotorcraft industry: • From the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety, the recommendation is to “Require and Verify the Effectiveness... Read more
8-Apr-2021Source: 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
5-Apr-2021Source: The Sun Daily
All helicopter service operators, maintenance service providers and pilots have been instructed to undergo a mandatory safety awareness exercise. See Full Story. ... Read more
11-Mar-2021Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Correction: Agusta A109E (G-ETPJ), localised burning in equipment bay, Boscombe Down Airfield, Wiltshire, 2 July 2020... Read more
5-Mar-2021Source: G+
With helicopter use growing in the offshore wind industry, the G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation and HeliOffshore have today unveiled new recommended practice for safe helicopter operations Offshore wind is one of the fastest-growing energy technologies. As wind farms have multiplied, with an increasing number being built further offshore, helicopters have become... Read more
3-Mar-2021Source: USHST
As a result of its comprehensive analysis of fatal helicopter accidents, the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) determined that loss of control while inflight has been a leading factor in accident causes, especially involving light helicopters. Current light helicopters have flight characteristics that are challenging and demanding of pilot workload. In response, the USHST is... Read more
1-Mar-2021Source: HeliHub.com
French aircraft investigators BEA are looking into a serious incident which occurred on 11th February off the French port of Le Havre. An Airbus AS365N3 operated by the Le Havre port authority was on one of their regular marine pilot flights, outbound to a ship in the English Channel (“La Manche” to the French) when... Read more
1-Mar-2021Source: Dropsafe
Dropsafe has launched a new Perimeter Safety Net system to protect personnel and assets in offshore industries. The system attaches to the perimeter frames of helidecks to protect personnel from falling and prevent loose objects from becoming dynamic Drops hazards. As contractors and operators in the global offshore sector look to make their site safety... Read more
17-Feb-2021Source: USHST
Inadvertent Instrument Meteorological Conditions leading to pilot spatial disorientation continue to be a leading cause of fatal helicopter accidents. From 2000 to 2019 in the United States, there were 130 fatal accidents directly linked to the issue of spatial disorientation. These accidents occurred regardless of pilot experience and they cut across all industries, including Emergency... Read more
15-Feb-2021Source: HAI
Helicopter Association International (HAI) began over 70 years ago as a group to promote and advocate for the helicopter industry. While HAI maintains that role today, the association also makes significant and robust contributions to safety programs for the industry. HAI’s vision is an industry with zero accidents, and in pursuit of that goal, its... Read more
12-Feb-2021Source: USHST
Can you imagine yourself in a situation where you only had 56 seconds to live? If you are a helicopter pilot and you find yourself in Unintentional Instrument Meteorological Conditions (UIMC), those precious 56 seconds may be a reality. “U.S. accident statistics reveal that a helicopter pilot operating under Visual Flight Rules who unintentionally continues... Read more
11-Feb-2021Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue does not refer to any helicopters in the main section, but under “AAIB Record-only investigations reviewed: November – December 2020” is this 11 Sep 2020 Robinson R44 G-CDUE Peterborough Business Airport, Cambridgeshire The helicopter was caught by a gust of wind as the... Read more
4-Feb-2021Source: Brad Sherman
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and California Senator Dianne Feinstein announced the reintroduction of the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act, which will require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen federal safety standards for equipping helicopters. Congressman Sherman moved to first introduce this legislation in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash... Read more
25-Jan-2021Source: HeliHub.com
Many people across our industry have been calling for some years now for better regulation of hobby drones, along with more proactive policing and harder sentencing. At present the first US court case is progressing where a drone owner has pleaded guilty in a situation where a drone struck a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter. But this... Read more
20-Jan-2021Source: NATA
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) applauds the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) introduction of the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS). Developed at the recommendation of and in collaboration with NATA and other industry stakeholders, the online tool eases access to Office of Aviation Safety guidance materials through a new, centralized portal. “When it comes to safety, both speed... Read more
14-Jan-2021Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Agusta A109E (G-ETPJ), localised burning in equipment bay, Boscombe Down Airfield, Wiltshire, 2 July 2020 Westland Scout AH1 (G-CIBW), loss of door window in flight, West Dean, Salisbury, Wiltshire, 17 September 2020... Read more
14-Jan-2021Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Wednesday its intent to hold a public board meeting Feb. 9, 2021, 9:30 a.m. (EST), to determine the probable cause of the fatal, Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter collided with hilly terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The pilot and eight... Read more
7-Jan-2021Source: CAAM
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has temporarily suspended the Certificate of Approval for Approved Training Organisation under Regulation 67 of Civil Aviation Regulations 2016 issued to MY Heli Club for a period of six months, effective 5th January 2021. This temporary suspension comes after two accidents involving three helicopters operated by MY Heli... Read more
24-Dec-2020Source: HeliHub.com
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and we pray that 2021 sees us all with a more positive view ahead, and with the expectation of getting a COVID-19 vaccine very soon. Since HeliHub.com founder Jeremy Parkin launched the world’s first helicopter news website back in 1999, this... Read more
15-Dec-2020Source: The Kathmandu Post
While the European Union applauded the Nepal government’s firm commitment to improving its air safety mechanism, the lawmaking body—the European Commission—has questioned the issuance of air operator certificates to new Nepali carriers without sufficient compliance with international safety standards. See Full Story.... Read more
10-Dec-2020Source: 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
2-Dec-2020Source: WorkSafe
New Zealand helicopter operator Volcanic Air has confirmed that they are one of the 13 parties that has been charged by WorkSafe – the country’s Health & Safety watchdog – but at the stage that article was written, they had not been advised of the details. [Ed] Worksafe’s press release:- WorkSafe New Zealand today filed charges... Read more
2-Dec-2020Source: Transport Canada
The Government of Canada has reached another milestone in its commitment to improving the safety of Canada’s air transportation sector by modernizing and strengthening regulations. Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced changes to the Canadian Aviation Regulations to mandate the use of digital emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) onboard aircraft flying in Canada. The... Read more
12-Nov-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Robinson R44 Raven II (G-WTWT), rolled over during a precautionary landing, Herne Bay, Canterbury, Kent, 26 July 2020... Read more
9-Nov-2020Source: HeliHub.com
A Leonardo AW109S Grand carrying a heart for transplant from Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa crashed on Friday on the rooftop helipad of Keck Hospital of USC in the Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles. Helicopter N109EX is seen in this video to be spinning just prior to touching down heavily and rolling onto its port... Read more
9-Oct-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- MBB-BK 117 D-2 (G-SASS), caravan roof partly lifted by helicopter downdraft, Knochenkelly, Whiting Bay, Brodick, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire, 4 May 2020... Read more
8-Oct-2020Source: L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) and Truth Data have signed an agreement to improve helicopter aviation safety by promoting helicopter flight data monitoring. Truth Data will utilize L3Harris’ scalable flight data analysis platform and benchmarking capabilities to enable customers to better identify safety issues and reduce risks. “Combining our two companies’ capabilities will help improve helicopter safety... Read more
8-Oct-2020Source: IHSF
With strong support from the Chilean Association of Helicopters (ACHHEL) and dozens of experts from across the industry, the Helicopter Safety Team of Chile (HST-Chile) has been formed with a focus to reduce accidents and enhance safety. The team includes representatives from authorities, civilian and governmental helicopter operators; commercial and private pilots, etc. HST-Chile leadership... Read more
28-Sep-2020Source: OC Helicopters
OC Helicopters (“OCH”) has issued the following statement today in response to being named as a defendant in the lawsuits stemming from the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven other cherished members of their communities. We have acted as travel agent and concierge for the Bryant family... Read more
11-Sep-2020Source: 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
13-Aug-2020Source: 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
20-Jul-2020Source: EASA
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has taken an important step towards increasing cybersecurity protection of large aeroplanes and rotorcraft by amending the rules related to the product certification. These amendments will step up safety on board by mitigating the potential effects of cybersecurity threats which could arise through intentional unauthorised acts of interaction... Read more
10-Jul-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Eurocopter AS350B2 (G-PDGF), inadvertent release of underslung load, Glencoe, Argyll, Scotland, 3 March 2020... Read more
12-Jun-2020Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Dianne Feinstein, Representative Brad Sherman (both D-Calif.), Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today introduced the Helicopter Safety Act, a bill to require terrain awareness and warning systems and crash-resistant flight data and voice recorders on all... Read more
11-Jun-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AW189 (G-OENC), wrong deck landing, Forties Charlie platform, northern North Sea, 25 March 2019... Read more
3-Jun-2020Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board, in a safety recommendation report issued Tuesday called on helicopter manufacturers to equip turbine-powered helicopters with crash-resistant systems to record data, audio, and images. The NTSB asked the manufacturers – Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Robinson and Sikorsky – to act since the Federal Aviation Administration has not implemented... Read more
15-May-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Bell 429 (G-WLTS), un-commanded yaw during Power Assurance Check, Melksham, Wiltshire, 2 January 2019 AW109SP (G-VIVE), aircraft struck power lines during final approach, Robins Farm, Chiddingfold, Surrey, 04 November 2019 Robinson R44 II (G-LLIZ), helicopter rollover,... Read more
28-Apr-2020Source: USHST
The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) has released an extensive Recommended Practice document which suggests training scenarios that will mitigate risk and improve aviation decision making. The training lesson plans in the document identify and describe numerous fatal helicopter accidents that involve some aspect showing a lack of sound aviation decision making that placed the... Read more
15-Apr-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Guimbal Cabri G2 (G-CILR), aircraft fire due to electrical short circuit, Wycombe Air Park, 22 July 2019 Correction: Sikorsky S-61N (G-ATBJ), control restriction on takeoff, Marchwood, Hampshire, 1 February 2018... Read more
15-Mar-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Sikorsky S-61N (G-ATBJ), control restriction on takeoff, Marchwood, Hampshire, 1 February 2018... Read more
19-Feb-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Correction – Record only – Guimbal Cabri G2 (G-CHWJ), Cotswold Airport, 7 May 2019... Read more
11-Feb-2020Source: Congressman Brad Sherman
Washington, D.C. – In the wake of the tragedy that claimed the life of Laker legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and 7 others, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) is introducing the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act, which will require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen federal safety standards for helicopters.... Read more
5-Feb-2020Source: USHST
Total accidents and the number of fatal accidents for the U.S. civil helicopter industry remained flat during 2019, but the second half of the year reflected fewer accidents (69 vs. 53) and fewer fatal accidents (15 vs. 9) compared to the first six months. The annual numbers also remained below accident totals from five and... Read more
29-Jan-2020Source: S.A.F.E. Structure Designs
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs is expanding its support of the maintenance sector of the helicopter industry by hosting a Maintenance Safety Symposium dedicated to providing the latest safety and training resources to mechanics. This first annual Maintenance Safety Symposium will focus on “Troubleshooting Technology”. The conference will be held in Dallas on June 10-11, 2020. This... Read more
29-Jan-2020Source: Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the global aerospace and national security company owned by Eren and Fatih Ozmen, said DVE technology already selected for U.S. military helicopters, can also reduce the risk of civil and commercial flight crashes, in cases where visibility is impeded due to weather and other conditions such as fog. “Whether military or... Read more
28-Jan-2020Source: HeliOffshore
The Safety and Aviation Committee of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) endorsed plans for a new aviation-focused Joint Industry Project (JIP) to fund work in support of its Project Safira goal of eliminating fatalities from the upstream energy business. The JIP will result in fresh investment of approximately £500,000 in the... Read more
9-Jan-2020Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Eurocopter EC135T1 (VP-CPS), corrosion-initiated fracture of a main rotor actuator tie bar, Owen Roberts International Airport, Cayman Islands, 26 February 2019 Agusta A109E (G-ETPI), loss of co-pilot’s door window, In flight North of Seaton, Cornwall, 27... Read more
23-Dec-2019Source: HeliHub.com
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2020. This is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we trust many of our readers will take time to consider what that means to the world, perhaps through attending a church... Read more
18-Dec-2019Source: HeliOffshore
HeliOffshore published the inaugural Helicopter Safety Performance Report – the result of the collaborative efforts of operators, manufacturers and regulators, through HeliOffshore’s Safety Intelligence Programme. Gretchen Haskins, CEO HeliOffshore, said: “This Helicopter Safety Performance Report reveals how far we have come as a mature, collaborative industry – but also what we need to do to close the... Read more
15-Dec-2019Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- EC135 P2+ (G-POLA), loss of NR control during flight test due to a faulty N2 adjuster, Morpeth, Northumberland, 5 April 2018 ... Read more
9-Dec-2019Source: The International Organisation for Standardisation
The world’s first ISO approved drone standards have been announced by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)[1] following a 12-month period of consultation with drone professionals, academics, businesses and the general public. The final publication of these new international safety and quality Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are set to have a massive impact... Read more