27-Apr-2014
Bird strike with large bird, possibly an eagle. Uneventful emergency landing. VVIP on board – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his MP wife Dimple escaped unhurt... Read more
26-Apr-2014
Lynx was one of two taking part in air-to-ground gunnery training when it was lost with all on board – named (eg. here) as Capt Thomas Clarke, WO2 Spencer Faulkner and Cpl James Walters of the Army Air Corps died alongside Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan of the Royal Air Force and L/Cpl Oliver Thomas of... Read more
26-Apr-2014
The helicopter yawed to the left moments before landing, and the tail rotor ended up hitting some bushes. There was substantial damage to the tail rotor blades... Read more
25-Apr-2014
HAI Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose and an international cast of rotor-wing professionals will host the first-ever helicopter safety seminar in Yangon, Myanmar, April 28. The seminar will bring together helicopter professionals, customers, executives, and key stakeholders from across Myanmar and Southeast Asia to discuss safety standards and best practices. Read more about the... Read more
25-Apr-2014
Crashed into residential area on a training flight. Very heavily damaged – images... Read more
25-Apr-2014
Crashed from the hover, fell onto its side... Read more
25-Apr-2014
Both occupants injured – the owner’s son on a training flight with an instructor. Heavily damaged... Read more
24-Apr-2014Source: Vector
Vector Aerospace UK (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com/), a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services has selected Atkins Global as a collaborative partner in producing a Safety Management System (SMS) which will enhance the support of its operating processes. “We are looking to optimise and widen our current practices to ensure that we have... Read more
24-Apr-2014
Emergency landing in cornfield, which got set alight and several acres were burned. Both occupants airlifted to hospital – owner 81-year-old Henry Brecher of Columbus and 50-year-old Todd Cramer of Dublin.... Read more
23-Apr-2014Source: Airbus
The redesigned vertical bevel gear shaft for Airbus Helicopters’ EC225 has been certified, enabling its production and installation on all rotorcraft of this type in operation globally, as well as those being produced. Certification was granted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and is to be followed by validation from other international airworthiness authorities.... Read more
23-Apr-2014Source: USHST
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org), has gathered U.S. civil helicopter accident data for the 10-year period of 2004 to 2013 in order to determine year-to-year and month-to-month trends. As expected, when warmer weather arrives during the spring and summer months, helicopter operations and missions increase and the number of accidents rise. For the... Read more
23-Apr-2014
Blade hit tail cone during training autorotation.... Read more
23-Apr-2014
Tail rotor struck fence... Read more
23-Apr-2014
Departed from a private residence in Queensville, Ontario for a local flight with the pilot and two passengers on board. During a landing in a marshy area of the Holland Marsh near Cooks Bay, a skid cut in the soft earth and the helicopter dynamically rolled over. There were no injuries and the helicopter was... Read more
23-Apr-2014
departed from a private residence in Queensville, Ontario for a local flight with the pilot and two passengers on board. During a landing in a marshy area of the Holland Marsh near Cooks Bay, a skid cut in the soft earth and the helicopter dynamically rolled over. There were no injuries and the helicopter was... Read more
22-Apr-2014Source: FAA
In response to industry feedback and so that the FAA can develop detailed guidance materials, the FAA is extending the compliance deadline for the helicopter safety rule by one year to April 22, 2015. This will provide the industry with necessary FAA materials and adequate time to adapt their manuals and provide training to pilots.... Read more
21-Apr-2014Source: FAA
As many of you are aware, the 2014 Safety Management System Focus Group meeting planned for Dallas/Fort Worth, TX April 29, 30 and May 1, 2014 has been canceled. We want to thank all the industry and FAA personnel who demonstrated interest and volunteered to participate in the event. We are planning a 2015 SMS... Read more
21-Apr-2014Source: Cobham
Cobham Life Support will be introducing its new maritime safety system, Survivor+ at OTC 2014, May 5-8 in Houston, Texas. The Survivor+ Personal Overboard Survival System, a new class of ‘wearable’ PFD (Personal Flotation Device), uniquely incorporates both a SOLAS approved inflatable life jacket and a personal life raft into a single system worn as... Read more
20-Apr-2014
Crashed on route from Gumare to Maun, killing all 3 POB. Named by the Botswana Government here as Superintendent Keokeditswe Sobatha of Molepolole, Assistant Superintendent Shepherd Ntobedzi of Kalakamati and Inspector Ricardo Mabotho of Lekgolobotlo... Read more
19-Apr-2014
Heavy landing, 2 POB, one with slight injuries. Reported that it clipped a tree on final approach... Read more
15-Apr-2014Source: FSF
The Flight Safety Foundation announced today that Jon Beatty, former President and CEO of International Aero Engines, has been named as its new President and CEO. Mr. Beatty comes to the Foundation after a distinguished career as an aviation executive. Along with his recent experience with International Aero Engines, he spent time in several executive... Read more
13-Apr-2014
Single-seat recently-completed amateur-build helicopter crashed fatally shortly after take-off from Reno Stead Airport. See also NTSB report... Read more
13-Apr-2014
Crashed on take-off, ending up on its side with rotorhead against the hangar wall, injuring Tanzania’s vice president Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal and some of the others on board – total 11 POB... Read more
11-Apr-2014Source: Baum Hedlund
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has denied a forum non conveniens motion filed by Robinson Helicopter Company, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell to have a fatal helicopter crash case (the very first R66 crash) removed from her courtroom in Los Angeles to be litigated in Colombia, where the crash occurred. In her March 28 ruling, the Honorable Michelle R.... Read more
11-Apr-2014
Failed to gain height on flight to Windhoek. Four killed in accident of 10 POB, fifth died shortly after in hospital according to Facebook page of local press Informanté... Read more
11-Apr-2014
Darryl Condon, 51, and Neale Gray, 54 killed on flight returning back to base at Bruce Bay after maintenance at Wanaka... Read more
11-Apr-2014
EMS helicopter went AOG on scene on M7 motorway... Read more
10-Apr-2014Source: Oil & Gas UK
Commenting, Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director Robert Paterson said: “Oil & Gas UK is working with our members to assess the impact on safety of the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) Review. “Like the CAA, our primary focus is to create and maintain a safe environment for our industry to operate in. If... Read more
10-Apr-2014Source: FAA
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that the Republic of the Philippines complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and has been granted a Category 1 rating. The country previously held a Category 1 rating until January 2008, when it was downgraded to a... Read more
10-Apr-2014
Training accident, one pilot with very minor injuries but the other with head injuries which proved fatal... Read more
10-Apr-2014
S92 helicopter returned to North Sea rig Brent Delta on flight to Scatsa after experiencing significant airframe vibration... Read more
9-Apr-2014Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accident(s) of:- Eurocopter EC135 T2+, G-SPAO, Glasgow City Centre, 29 November 2013 – investigation update Agusta A109S (G-IOOZ), tail rotor strike on landing, at a private site near Withypool, Somerset, 8 December 2013... Read more
9-Apr-2014Source: HAI
The goal of any safety program is to identify the hazards and manage the risks. Accidents are caused by normal people performing normal tasks that usually deviate from a normal system’s environment. At the FREE, North Carolina Helicopter Safety Summit on Thurs., April 10, identify the hazards of inadequate helicopter maintenance, human factors related to... Read more
9-Apr-2014
Immediate landing after unspecified cockpit warning light. No reported damage... Read more
9-Apr-2014
AS350-B2 with a pilot and three passengers on board, took off while it was near a communication tower. During takeoff, the pilot wanted to bypass the tower and conduct a takeoff facing the wind away from the guy wires. Nevertheless, the main rotor came into contact with a guy wire and the aircraft crashed into... Read more
9-Apr-2014
Crashed on hospital roof just off the helipad. 3 POB with pilot reported injured by local press. No patient on board. UNM later issued this video of the accident from CCTV cameras... Read more
8-Apr-2014
Experienced severe vibrations and made an emergency/forced landing at an agricultural field 12 NM short of the destination.... Read more
7-Apr-2014Source: USHST
The United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org), has completed a comprehensive follow-up report to its initial helicopter accident analysis released in 2011. This new report analyzes U.S. civil helicopter accidents that occurred in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and compares them to the previous analysis that looked at accidents that occurred in 2000, 2001, and 2006.... Read more
7-Apr-2014Source: CAA
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a review of the medical services it provides. The study will look at all aspects of the work of the CAA’s Medical Department to ensure UK pilots and air traffic controllers are receiving the most suitable and efficient service possible. The review will seek the opinions of key stakeholder... Read more
7-Apr-2014
Emergency field landing due to mechanical issue, no apparent damage.... Read more
7-Apr-2014
Helicopter down – unclear from press reports if damaged or not. All crew and passengers reported safe... Read more
6-Apr-2014Source: HAI
The 10th annual CHC Safety and Quality Summit was held in Vancouver, BC, Canada, from March 31-April 2. HAI’s Director of Safety J. Heffernan and Director of Safety Outreach Stan Rose represented HAI, among 750 other safety professionals from around the globe. This year, the theme of the summit was Safety & Quality in the... Read more
6-Apr-2014Source: Guidance Aviation
A FAASTeam Seminar on Cockpit Distractions and how to deal with them is taking place on Monday, April 7, 2014, at the Capitol City Civil Air Patrol, Louisiana Wing, 9163 Blanche Noyes Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70811. Title: REMINDER-Cockpit Distractions Topic: Cockpit Distractions and how to deal with them. Date and Time: Monday, April 7, 2014 , starting at 6:00... Read more
6-Apr-2014
Pilot Robin Venuti, 38 and passenger Albert Rubio killed when helicopter crashed in “treacherous terrain” on elk-hunting flight... Read more
6-Apr-2014
Emergency field landing with time given by FAA as 00:11 local. No injuries to the 4 POB... Read more
5-Apr-2014
Crashed into a heavily forested area on a night flight. Pilot killed, and the two other occupants seriously injured... Read more
4-Apr-2014
A ship pilot was seriously injured when he was being transferred via external sling from the helicopter to a container ship at night. No damage to helicopter... Read more
4-Apr-2014
Rolled over onto its side in an open field on a training flight. Minor injuries to the two POB. NTSB report here... Read more
2-Apr-2014Source: Tangent Link
The Offshore / Onshore Aviation (OOA) Conference and Exhibition has been organised on behalf of the MENA HST – MENA Helicopter Safety Team, aimed at meeting the challenges for safer offshore and onshore aviation operations in the Middle East & North Africa When it comes to aviation operations, the very best in safety and expertise are... Read more
1-Apr-2014Source: IHST
Helicopter industry and government leaders knew something had to be done to reduce the alarming number of helicopter accidents worldwide. So, those leading the charge to reduce accident rates called for a “culture of safety” that encouraged training, outreach, research, analysis, and an environment where people could report safety violations without fear of repercussions. There... Read more
31-Mar-2014Source: Scoop
Press report suggests the helicopter was flying so low that the workers on the ground were affected by the rotor wash which dislodged loose rocks from the cliff face. See full story... Read more
31-Mar-2014
EMS helicopter AOG on scene at night, blocking highway... Read more
30-Mar-2014
After the accident, which killed two, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said the city should review its permits and procedures to make sure the helicopters are operating safely. See full story... Read more
30-Mar-2014
Engine malfunction at low level while hog hunting. Substantially damaged in field landing... Read more
29-Mar-2014
The student pilot was attempting a solo lift from a grass surface. Whilst applying left cyclic input to correct a right side low condition, the helicopter rolled rapidly to the left in what was reported as a dynamic rollover incident.... Read more
27-Mar-2014
During aerial mustering operations, the helicopter collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage. The pilot sustained serious injuries.... Read more
27-Mar-2014
Helicopter was damaged in hard landing around 1.48am, but the pilot was able to regain control and fly it back to the Tehachapi Airport.... Read more
26-Mar-2014
While flying at 1,000 ft in VMC conditions, the helicopter struck a bird which the pilot identified as a buzzard. The pilot carried out a precautionary landing to inspect the helicopter, which suffered a broken windscreen transparency. After the inspection, the pilot continued the flight to his destination at White Waltham. He reported that he... Read more
25-Mar-2014Source: IHST
In the epic movie, The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker is standing motionless on the edge of a swamp as his X-wing fighter sinks even deeper into the muck. Yoda, the Jedi Grand Master, encourages Luke to use “the force” to lift the aircraft out of the swamp, but Luke remains non-responsive. To his mentor,... Read more
25-Mar-2014
Force landing due to technical difficulties... Read more
23-Mar-2014
Crashed in corn field with two fatalities... Read more
22-Mar-2014
During the cruise, the crew observed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at about 1,000 ft above ground level. The UAV turned and tracked towards the helicopter and the helicopter crew took evasive action to avoid a collision.... Read more
22-Mar-2014
Tail strike on landing at 20.05 local... Read more
22-Mar-2014
Tail boom stabiliser fin lost inflight. Minor damage to belly of aircraft... Read more
22-Mar-2014
During the cruise, an object which had been secured with a seat belt, became loose and jammed the cyclic control, resulting in the helicopter nose pitching down. The helicopter collided with terrain resulting in substantial damage.... Read more
21-Mar-2014Source: EASA
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated a number of R44 helicopter accidents in which the fuel tanks were breached, resulting in leaking fuel and a post-crash fire. While analysis showed that these events should all have been survivable with minor or no injuries to the occupants, they resulted in fatalities and serious... Read more
21-Mar-2014Source: IHST
Fourteen years of accident data reveal that total U.S. civil helicopter accidents have decreased about 25 percent since the International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST,org) was established in 2006. From 2000 to 2005, an average of 186 to 190 helicopter accidents occurred each year in the United States. That annual average decreased to 170 during 2006-2007,... Read more
21-Mar-2014
The helicopter was hover taxiing from its parking position towards the runway. As it did so, the tail of a Cessna 152 parked at a nearby refuelling point lifted and, under the influence of the rotor wash and a relatively strong surface wind, the aircraft came to rest inverted.... Read more
20-Mar-2014
Passenger killed in accident at forestry site with helicopter being used for delivering supplies and equipment from one site to another. Pilot has minor injuries. Fatality named as Donald Carlton Kain, 53, a forestry supervisor... Read more
20-Mar-2014
Engine warning – All 16 passengers and two crew landed in safely at Aberdeen Airport and the helicopter is being inspected by engineers.... Read more
20-Mar-2014
Heavily damaged in hangar fire. A second Super Puma was also damaged in the same fire... Read more
20-Mar-2014
Substantially damaged in hangar fire. A second Super Puma was destroyed in the same fire... Read more
19-Mar-2014Source: City of Seattle
At 7:51 a.m. this morning, Seattle Firefighters responded to a helicopter crash near the Space Needle. When firefighters arrived at Broad Street and 4th Avenue they found a helicopter that had crashed into the ground causing three car fires. Medics transported a male driver to Harborview Medical Center with severe burns and discovered two deceased patients inside the helicopter... Read more
