4-May-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Given the volume of emails and phone calls that HeliHub.com has received in recent days, mainly from outside the helicopter industry, we are taking this opportunity to put one key point down in writing. They key area of investigation is the main rotor gearbox and the suspension bars which sit at an angle to hold... Read more
4-May-2016Source: Shell
Shell has issued the following statement, in which they confirm they are suspending using CHC Norway as an operator. The oil company’s decision does not extend to CHC in any other country. “Shell has with sadness followed the reports of the tragic event outside Bergen in Norway. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the... Read more
4-May-2016
3 May – Airbus Helicopters welcomes the announcement made by the Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) today. The investigation will now solely be focused on potential root causes of a technical failure, such as design, production, and/or maintenance. Airbus Helicopters continues to provide its full support to the AIBN investigation. At this stage and based... Read more
4-May-2016
C-GOPK, a Highland Helicopters Bell 206 B departed Williams Lake (CYWL) and was carrying out scanning operations over a logged area about 112 nm NW of Prince George when the helicopter spun to the left and descended into the ground. The helicopter was destroyed, the pilot was injured, but the 2 passengers appeared to have... Read more
3-May-2016Source: EASA
EASA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD), following the tragic accident which occurred in Norway on 29 April 2016 to an Airbus Helicopters EC 225 helicopter. The partial information available so far indicate an in-flight separation of the main rotor from the main gearbox (MGB); an investigation is on-going to identify the root cause of... Read more
3-May-2016Source: AIBN
The Accident Investigation Board Norway arrived at the accident site on Turøy in Hordaland Friday evening. Helicopter wreckage was retrieved from land and the sea bottom Saturday and was then transferred to Haakonsvern naval base (Bergen) by ship. The combined Flight Data and Cockpit Voice Recorder was retrieved from the wreckage Friday night. The unit... Read more
3-May-2016Source: OIl & Gas UK
Mick Borwell, Health, Safety and Environment Policy Director with Oil & Gas UK, said: “This is tragic news from Norway and our immediate thoughts go to the family, friends and colleagues of those involved in this incident. “The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has followed the Norwegian CAA in issuing a Safety Directive effective from... Read more
3-May-2016Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter Service earlier today confirmed that flight HKS 241 from the Gullfaks B platform was involved in an accident near the Flesland Airport in Bergen, Norway on April 29, 2016. The helicopter, an Airbus EC 225, carried 11 passengers and two crewmembers. The flight was operated on behalf of Statoil. “We are greatly saddened... Read more
3-May-2016Source: AAIB
The AAIB is deploying a small team to assist the Norwegian AIBN in their investigation of a helicopter accident near Bergen. Air Accidents Investigation Branch Chief Inspector Keith Conradi said: “We were sad to hear of the loss of a helicopter west of Bergen, Norway. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has offered to assist the... Read more
3-May-2016Source: Bristow
On Friday, April 29, 2016, an accident occurred with an Airbus Helicopters EC225LP (also known as a H225) model helicopter operated by another helicopter company, which resulted in a crash near Turøy outside of Bergen, Norway. The aircraft was carrying eleven passengers and two crew members at the time of the accident. Thirteen fatalities were... Read more
3-May-2016Source: Luftfartstilsynet
SAFETY DIRECTIVE – Airbus Helicopters EC225LP – Limitation of operations in the Kingdom of Norway due to fatal accident on the 29th of April 2016 This Safety Directive contains mandatory action that is required to establish an acceptable level of safety. It is issued in accordance with the Aviation Act (Luftfartsloven) §4-1 and regulation (EC)... Read more
3-May-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
Below is the wording of two separate statements from manufacturer Airbus Helicopters following the accident of an EC225 operated by CHC on 29th April May 1, 2016 – Considering the additional information gathered during the last 48 hours, Airbus Helicopters’ decision, at this stage, is to not suspend flights of any nature for the... Read more
3-May-2016Source: CAA
“Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragic accident in Norway. “Following the accident the UK CAA has issued an instruction to stop any commercial passenger flights by UK operators flying the Airbus EC225LP helicopter. This mirrors action taken by the Norwegian CAA. The restriction does not apply to search and rescue flights. “The... Read more
29-Apr-2016
Main rotor blades and hub reportedly detached in flight, and a video online purports to show this subsystem spinning down to earth. The remainder of the helicopter descended at high rate, impacting rocky ground with 13 fatalities on impact and being consumed in the post-impact fire. The helicopter was being operated for Statoil, and en... Read more
25-Apr-2016Source: FAA
The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on best practices in calculating and predicting aircraft performance, and on operating within established aircraft limitations. What is Loss of Control? A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC... Read more
18-Apr-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Police in London were last night investigating after an object – reported to be a drone – struck the nose of a British Airways jet over Heathrow in what is believed to be the first case of its kind. The pilot of flight BA727 from Geneva, carrying 132 passengers and five crew members, reported the... Read more
15-Apr-2016Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- AAR 1/2016 AS332 L2 Super Puma, G-WNSB struck the sea on approach to Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands, 23 August 2013 Agusta Bell 206B Jet Ranger III (G-OMDR), loss of control in flight, near Gamston... Read more
15-Apr-2016
Pilot made an emergency landing in a paddock for unknown reason. Inspection cover in firewall had not been closed during pre-flight checks and helicopter was consumed by fire. Sole occupant pilot got out OK without injury... Read more
12-Apr-2016Source: FAA
FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker visited the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly In and Expo in Lakeland, Fla. this week as part of the agency’s ongoing partnership with the general aviation community to improve safety. Whitaker announced the FAA’s Got Data? initiative to give the private sector better access the FAA’s aeronautical data. Speaking at... Read more
11-Apr-2016Source: ICAO
ICAO is working to bring sleep standards for helicopter pilots in line with existing recommended practices for commercial airline crew, said Michelle Millar, ICAO’s technical specialist, human performance See full story... Read more
8-Apr-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently reviewing the report and recommendations of the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The agency had tasked the group to develop recommendations for performance-based regulations that would let certain unmanned aircraft operate over people not directly involved in the flight of the aircraft. The rulemaking committee,... Read more
7-Apr-2016Source: USHST
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org) will focus major attention during the next four years on reducing fatal accidents within the U.S. civil helicopter community. The industry-government partnership is targeting a reduction to 0.61 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours, which is 20 percent less than the average since 2009. For a baseline comparison,... Read more
4-Apr-2016Source: Herald Sun
Lieutenant Marcus Case, 27, was killed and five other service personnel injured when a Chinook helicopter they were in crashed near the Aussie base at Tarin Kowt in May 2011 See full story See also HeliHub.com page for this accident – 30-May-11 Boeing CH-47D Tarin Kot, Afghanistan (1F)... Read more
28-Mar-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released an updated list of pilot, air traffic controller and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The latest report covers August 22, 2015 through January 31, 2016. Reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically since 2014. Safely integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system is one... Read more
27-Mar-2016Source: USHST
Raj Helweg, chief pilot of Air Methods, has been named the new industry co-chairman of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.ushst.org). The USHST was formed in 2013 as a regional partner within the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to promote safety and work to reduce civil... Read more
26-Mar-2016
on a local pleasure flight from a private facility at Redfern Lake, BC. As the pilot attempted a landing at approximately 7800 feet ASL near the edge of a cirque, the aircraft encountered descending air on final. The pilot elected to continue the approach and increased the collective to maintain the sight picture. The pilot... Read more
25-Mar-2016
The ATSB is investigating a fatal accident involving a Bell 206B helicopter accident near Camila, Queensland on 25 March 2016. During crop spraying operations, the helicopter struck powerlines before colliding with terrain. The pilot was fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed by post-impact fire.... Read more
24-Mar-2016
C-GGQL, a Far West Helicopters Bell 206B, was departing with two passengers on board off a helipad at an elevation of about 2500 feet ASL, 4 nautical miles north of Port Renfrew, BC. During the vertical ascent to rise above tree height, the torque gauge was indicating about 90-95%. Upon reaching an estimated 100-150 feet,... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects thousands of birds may be saved each year because of changes the agency has made to its communication tower lighting standards. The FAA has developed a number of tower lighting configurations for tall structures to warn pilots they are approaching an obstruction, particularly during nighttime hours and in bad... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: KREM
Guillermo Sanchez was driving to work in Seattle on the morning of March 18, 2014 when the news helicopter fell from the sky and hit his car while he was stopped at a red light. See full story... Read more
23-Mar-2016Source: Oil & Gas UK
Mick Borwell, Health & Safety Director, Oil & Gas UK, said: “Following publication of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch report into the Sumburgh tragedy we will take time to carefully examine its findings. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those not with us today. “There are many recommendations in this report... Read more
21-Mar-2016
The ATSB is investigating a collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22, VH-RGY, at Richmond Airport, Queensland, on 21 March 2016. After engine start, the helicopter collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage. The pilot was uninjured.... Read more
20-Mar-2016Source: Starspeed
Over 40 members of the UK onshore helicopter industry got together at the buildings of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Farnborough on 10th March. Senior members of many of the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) operators and maintenance organisations, along with Airbus Helicopters UK, Finmeccanica UK, and Turbomeca UK all contributed to a busy schedule... Read more
18-Mar-2016Source: Airbus
Analyses of helicopter accidents point to operational factors as prime contributors to rotorcraft accidents. Airbus Helicopters’ Aviation Safety Roadshows aim to change the safety culture by mobilizing our network of customer centers and promoting helicopter safety through seminars around the world. Aligned with our ‘Safety First’ culture, Airbus Helicopters launched the Aviation Safety Roadshows as... Read more
17-Mar-2016Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and key government agencies involved in unmanned aircraft operations are expanding participation in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Executive Committee (EXCOM). The committee provides federal agencies with a forum to share information and reduce redundancies on UAS research and development, and resolve policy and procedural issues on safe UAS integration... Read more
17-Mar-2016
Crashed on take off after unloading construction materials, ending on its starboard side.... Read more
16-Mar-2016
C-FBLW, a TRK Helicopters Aerospatiale AS350 BA helicopter, was operated under contract to SKEENA Heli-Ski from the Bear Creek Lodge, BC, about 82 nautical miles north west of Smithers, BC. The flight was returning to base camp in the late afternoon with a pilot and 6 passengers on board. As the pilot was maneuvering the... Read more
15-Mar-2016Source: FAA
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Sally French, “The Drone Girl,” today led a lively panel discussion about the future of small unmanned aircraft at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin on Monday. The panel included a diverse group of innovative thinkers from industry and government. In his opening remarks, Administrator Huerta outlined recent progress on... Read more
13-Mar-2016Source: FAA
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta will make opening remarks and moderate a panel discussion with several industry and government partners about the future of small unmanned aircraft – at the SXSW “South By South West” event. Discussion topics are expected to include UAS registration, the MicroUAS aviation rulemaking committee, steps to speed integration, new uses for... Read more
10-Mar-2016Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Correction: Agusta Bell 206B (G-SUEX), loss of engine power in a position from which it was not possible to conduct a safe landing, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, 16 September 2014... Read more
9-Mar-2016Source: NBAA
The FAA-led effort to develop and test a detection system that identifies unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating on and near airports is a good first step, said Sarah Wolf, NBAA’s senior manager of security and facilitation. As this technology matures, it will contribute to the safety of NBAA members that operate both manned and unmanned... Read more
2-Mar-2016
Professional Resources in System Management, LLC (PRISM) is pleased to announce that Memorial Hermann Life Flight® has selected Aviation Risk Management Online Resource (ARMOR) as its aviation Safety Management System software. Life Flight is a critical care air medical transport service based in Houston, Texas. They serve the community within a 150-mile radius of the... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing an aviation rulemaking committee (PDF)with industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft. The FAA is taking this action to provide a more flexible,... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: NATA
On Friday 26th February, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced a new “FAA Medical Certification Services” benefit program for Part 135 and 91 operators and their pilots. Administered by Harvey Watt & Co., this program was previously available only when combined with insurance products or through airlines for their pilots. The NATA FAA Medical... Read more
29-Feb-2016Source: CHC
Dr. Joe MacInnes, a medical doctor, undersea explorer, author and leadership expert, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the gala dinner at the 12th-annual CHC Safety & Quality Summit. The Tuesday, April 5, dinner at the Westin Bayshore hotel is expected to attract up to 600 people – most of whom will also... Read more
25-Feb-2016
Police helicopter crashed killing two and the third is in a critical condition. More news awaited. D-HVBB registration to be finally confirmed... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: USI
The Unmanned Safety Institute, a professional organization dedicated to the safe and responsible integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System, today announced a joint partnership with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) to provide educational workshops to the law enforcement community throughout the United States. The purpose of the... Read more
23-Feb-2016Source: Leadership
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered all airlines operating the Sikorsky S76C series to carry out safety inspections on the helicopter type with immediate effect. See Full Story... Read more
21-Feb-2016
Crashed during the rescue of a paraglider who had suffered multiple fractures... Read more
20-Feb-2016
The ATSB is investigating a wirestrike and collision with terrain involving a Robinson R22 helicopter, VH-LYW, 88 km northeast of Roma, Queensland, on 20 February 2016. During aerial mustering operations, the helicopter struck powerlines and subsequently collided with terrain. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter was destroyed.... Read more
19-Feb-2016Source: FAA
Each month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives more than 100 reports from pilots and others who spot what appears to be an unmanned aircraft (UAS) flying close to an airport or a manned airplane. It’s become a serious safety concern for the agency, and a potential security issue for the Department of Homeland Security... Read more
16-Feb-2016Source: RGU
Charting their body dimensions has also cast valuable light on their ability to escape through a helicopter window. Bigger individuals are less likely to be able to do so than smaller individuals, but the study has shown that size isn’t everything. The new findings from a joint research project into the size and shape of... Read more
15-Feb-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The sole Enstrom TH-180 development aircraft N180TH [pictured] had an accident on Friday, coming down in a residential area close to Marinette Twin County Airport in Menominee, Michigan where the manufacturer is based. The helicopter hit a power pole and some tree branches on 14th Avenue and crashed right-side up at 18th Street and 15th... Read more
15-Feb-2016Source: HAI
As most of you know, HAI exists to serve the needs of you, our members, and to advocate on your behalf. We want to ensure you do not have to operate in an environment of over burdensome regulations and legislation that restrict your ability to conduct your activities and remain economically viable. This philosophy applies... Read more
14-Feb-2016
During the approach and landing, the pilot sighted powerlines strung across his landing point, and manoeuvred to remain clear of them. While on the ground, the wind veered from a southwest to a southerly direction, so that to take off into wind, the helicopter would track perpendicular to the powerlines. After completing the pre-take-off checks,... Read more
12-Feb-2016Source: HAI
The timing is critical for the helicopter industry to help stave off major changes to the FAA that will impact your operations and bring additional costs for your operation. The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will vote on Thursday on a bill that could fundamentally change how U.S. airspace is governed and what kind... Read more
12-Feb-2016Source: 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-DEFY), dynamic rollover, Elstree Aerodrome, Hertfordshire, 25 September 2015 Robinson R22 Beta (G-TIMH), heavy landing, Nottingham Heliport, 13 September 2015 Robinson R66 (G-LROK), dynamic rollover during takeoff, Denham Airfield, Buckinghamshire, 12 September 2015... Read more
12-Feb-2016
Test flight accident, coming down in residential area 600m short of runway 32 at Marinette Twin County Airport... Read more
11-Feb-2016Source: IHST
Global members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) will gather at Heli-Expo next month for a worldwide summit focused on civil helicopter safety and to share knowledge and advice about reducing accidents. Safety experts will participate in the summit from countries with substantial civil helicopter operations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the... Read more
11-Feb-2016
Date is not confirmed but is between 4th February and 11th when it was transported from Booker (Wycombe Air Park) by road. Substantially damaged in heavy landing with 5 on board. Industry sources indicate that the tail boom was badly damaged in the autorotation landing.... Read more
10-Feb-2016Source: WDBJ7
On Friday, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard pilots and drone operators met at the hangar on McClanahan Street in Roanoke to talk about safe ways to share the airspace. See Full Story... Read more
6-Feb-2016
The privately-registered Eurocopter EC-120B helicopter was on a local VFR flight from Toronto Billy Bishop/Toronto City Centre Airport, ON (CYTZ). The helicopter was being flown in circuits at Brampton Airport, ON (CNC3) when it experienced a loss of power. The helicopter crashed near the southern end of the airport property. Two (2) souls on board... Read more
5-Feb-2016Source: Maverick
Maverick Helicopters, an award-winning division of Maverick Aviation Group, recently received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 2015 Award of Excellence “Diamond Award.” The prestigious honor, which the company has now received five years in a row, is a result of Maverick Helicopters’ ongoing dedication to maintenance training and aircraft safety. The FAA’s Award of Excellence... Read more
3-Feb-2016
Ditched into the sea shortly after take off from offshore installation. All nine passengers and two crew safely rescued... Read more
31-Jan-2016
The pilot was attempting to land on a marked heliski landing site on a ski run called “Nicole”. This was the second landing of the day at this location; the helicopter was carrying 10 guests, 2 guides and the pilot. The first approach was abandoned due to skiers from a previous group waiting on the... Read more
27-Jan-2016Source: Rice University
A new nanotech coating can melt ice on helicopter blades and might offer a new way to de-ice aircraft, wind turbines, and power lines. In tests, the material melted centimeter-thick ice from a static helicopter rotor blade in a minus-4-degree Fahrenheit environment. When a small voltage was applied, the coating delivered electrothermal heat—called Joule heating—to... Read more
27-Jan-2016Source: HAI
At HAI HELI-EXPO 2016, HAI will bring back the HAI Rotor Safety Challenge: an easy and economical way to learn industry best practices, including safety tools and techniques you can apply back on the job. Free to all registered HAI HELI-EXPO attendees and exhibitors, the 2016 HAI Rotor Safety Challenge features 63 safety education events. Most... Read more
25-Jan-2016Source: HAI
The Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee (HSAC) is an opportunity for the stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to come together and work on safety issues that affect the Oil and Gas industry. HAI Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose joined helicopter operators, the energy companies, the regulators and other who operate in and around... Read more
22-Jan-2016Source: PC World
The Los Angeles County District Attorney filed criminal cases against two drone pilots on Wednesday for allegedly flying their drones in controlled airspace. See Full story... Read more
21-Jan-2016Source: IHST
Members of the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) will be providing their safety advice for Heli-Expo participants in Louisville at 14 different workshops and at a special safety symposium. The IHST promotes safety and works to reduce accidents through a government and industry cooperative effort that has resulted in a worldwide decrease in civil helicopter... Read more
20-Jan-2016
The Custom Helicopters Bell 206L-1, C-GOFH, was hovering prior to touchdown at a remote camp in north eastern Manitoba when an unsecured canvas portion of a Quonset hut was blown into the rotor disc. The aircraft landed without further incident. The helicopter sustained damage to one rotor blade and will remain on location pending inspection... Read more
17-Jan-2016Source: 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 (G-SUEX), loss of engine power in a position from which it was not possible to conduct a safe landing, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, 16 September 2014 Enstrom 480 (G-IGHH), wire strike, Aldbury, Hertfordshire, 9... Read more
11-Jan-2016Source: FAA
North Carolina was “first in flight” when the Wright Brothers took to the skies at Kitty Hawk, and now it’s leading the way to the next generation of air traffic control. NextGen procedures are helping flights operate more efficiently at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), improving on-time performance and decreasing emissions. The Charlotte Metroplex project includes new arrival and departure procedures for CLT and surrounding airports in North Carolina, South Carolina and southern Virginia. Procedural changes in... Read more
7-Jan-2016Source: FAA
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the public release of the B4UFLY mobile application following an initial beta testing period. B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The app is... Read more
6-Jan-2016Source: USHT
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (http://www.ushst.org/) will help the Helicopter Association International (HAI) kick off Heli-Expo 2016 by hosting a Symposium for helicopter safety professionals on Feb. 29th in Louisville. The theme of the Safety Symposium will be “Safety and the Bottom Line” and will include presentations focused on showing how safety initiatives and the... Read more
