10-Jun-2012
Crashed in woodland killing Kenya’s Security Minister, George Saitoti and his deputy Orwa Ojode, pilots Luke Oyugi, Nancy Gituanja and bodyguards Inspector Joshua Tonkei and Sergeant Thomas Murimis. Only small size items remain after post-crash fire. Helicopter had only been delivered earlier this year (see HeliHub.com story and local Kenyan story). See also this YouTube... Read more
10-Jun-2012
Shortly after departure from Doña Ana County Airport at Santa Teresa, New Mexico. “Officials say strong winds could be to blame.” 3POB... Read more
9-Jun-2012
Accident occurred shortly after the pilot told ATC that he would need to make a precautionary landing due to weather conditions. En route from Augsburg (Germany) to Salzburg (Austria).... Read more
9-Jun-2012
Single engined helicopter crashed into the Wicomico River near the Whitehaven Ferry. Rescued by boat without serious injuries.... Read more
8-Jun-2012Source: Aero Sekur
A new handbook produced by Aero Sekur, available to visitors to the company’s stand at Farnborough International Air Show 2012, gives an overview of the company’s heli-safety, survival expertise and product portfolio. With forty years’ experience supplying the aerospace industry, Aero Sekur has successfully developed a number of helicopter specific innovations which are detailed in... Read more
7-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Helicopter pilots in India have appealed to the local aviation authority (DGCA) with a call for them to undertake auditing of helipads, particularly those on offshore rigs. Such audits are currently rare in India. Earlier this week, DGCA chief E.K. Bharat Bhushan met members of the Rotary Wing Society of India, the Oil and Natural... Read more
7-Jun-2012Source: Oil & Gas UK
Oil & Gas UK is once again to host a one-day seminar with the aim of bringing together leading figures in the oil and gas and aviation industries to discuss offshore helicopter safety. The event, which is sponsored by Bond Offshore Helicopters and Maersk Oil, is the seventh annual Aviation Seminar organised by Oil & Gas UK... Read more
7-Jun-2012
NYPD aircraft – Emergency landing in field. Awaiting further details... Read more
6-Jun-2012
Crashed in mountainous area, killing all 14 on board. Took 48 hours approx to find wreckage, partly due to poor weather conditions and overnight temperatures down to -15C. The helicopter was itself built in 1963 and first delivered to the German Army. Passenger manifest now released : From South Korea: Thois Young Hwan, Kin Today... Read more
6-Jun-2012
Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan, military officials reported. The pair were later named as Capt. Scott P. Pace, 33, of Brawley, California and Lt. Mathew G. Fazzari, 25, of Walla Walla, Washington. This report states they took fire from insurgents... Read more
6-Jun-2012
Emergency field landing due to loose/missing tail rotor blade tape. Stayed overnight and cleared for flight next day... Read more
6-Jun-2012
Brand new aircraft. Fell onto side on landing from 50ft on third attempt at landing. 2POB. Co pilot had bruises only, Pilot not injured... Read more
5-Jun-2012
Precautionary landing in public park after warning light illuminated... Read more
5-Jun-2012
Precautionary landing on flight out of the Army Support Facility in Windsor Locks, CT. Pilot had noticed unusual engine noise and seen smoke... Read more
4-Jun-2012
Hit buzzard in flight, emergency landing ended up with helicopter on its side. 5 POB to hospital as a precautionary measure, but not seriously injured. Helicopter registered to Southern Aviation Systems, but address points to this being linked to corporate operator Southern Waste Systems... Read more
4-Jun-2012
San Antonio Police aircraft declared emergency landing during night patrol.... Read more
4-Jun-2012
Emergency landing after engine failure. 14 POB... Read more
2-Jun-2012
Badly damaged in heavy landing... Read more
2-Jun-2012
Helicopter landed on beach after encountering fog... Read more
1-Jun-2012Source: MedEvac Foundation International
Jonathan Godfrey, RN, CMTE, has been named as 2012 SMTA Scholarship winner. Godfrey won this award because of his own mission to make the medical transport community safer through education, awareness, and the encouragement of personal vigilance. Godfrey is the Safety Officer/Representative for the Children’s National Medical Center Transport Team in Washington, DC. He implemented... Read more
1-Jun-2012
Video shows one or two people at a time dangling from the skids, waiting for the pilot to take them over open water where they dropped to the water below. At one point, the pilot goes so high the person hanging on drops an estimated 50 feet. (see full story and video). The helicopter shown... Read more
1-Jun-2012Source: BALPA
Commenting on the decision by Shell to withdraw from a contract with Bond helicopters following three incidents in three years, Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association, said: ‘People are used to contracts changing; it is part of commercial life in the North Sea. What is of concern in this instance is... Read more
1-Jun-2012Source: UK Government
Proposed EU rules on the working hours and conditions for pilots and cabin crew must be improved or safety could be at risk, says the Transport Committee in a report examining draft proposals from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to change the rules that govern how many hours a pilot can fly. Report: Flight... Read more
1-Jun-2012
Three killed in mountainous area, all employees of Bailey Helicopters. Pilot named as Peter Bryant, 45 and passengers Blake Erickson, 48, and Arnaud Jolibois, 44.  CADAORS 2012P0786... Read more
31-May-2012Source: STV
It is reported that the oil giant has pulled out of a deal with Bond to take over its UK flights as it did not have “sufficient assurances†of the safety of Bond’s operations. (see full story)... Read more
31-May-2012
Emergency landing made shortly after take-off... Read more
30-May-2012
Crashed into an apple orchard after losing power. Tail damage. Pilot not injured... Read more
30-May-2012
The aircraft had just completed a routine inspection and the mechanic was doing a post-inspection ground run when the aircraft inadvertently lifted from its stationary position and struck a hangar. Mechanic injured... Read more
30-May-2012
Heavily damaged. Sole occupant was injured... Read more
29-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
29-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
29-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
29-May-2012Source: Robinson
DATE: 29 May 2012 TO: R66 owners, operators, and maintenance personnel SUBJECT: Center Rear Seat Decal ROTORCRAFT AFFECTED: R66 helicopters S/N 0004 thru 0110 excluding S/N 0062, 0075, 0081, 0086, 0089, 0090, 0094, 0097, 0098, 0099, 0101, 0102, 0106, 0107, and 0108. BACKGROUND: A decal was not installed on some center rear seats.... Read more
29-May-2012
Rescue helicopter made emergency landing at night using NVG after indications of a major hydraulic failure during an EMS flight, with patient on board. Patient moved to second helicopter (BK117 VH-EHQ) to reach hospital. See also press release... Read more
28-May-2012Source: NTSB
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman announced the selection of John DeLisi as the new Director of the Office of Aviation Safety (OAS). Mr. DeLisi will assume his new position on June 2, 2012 following the retirement of Tom Haueter, the current director. “It gives me great pleasure to announce John’s selection... Read more
28-May-2012
Sierra Leone’s transport minister said Friday that relatives of 19 Togolese football fans who died in a helicopter crash in 2007, including Togo’s sports minister, would receive compensation (see full story)... Read more
28-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
28-May-2012Source: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board is offering three courses in the coming months at its training center just outside Washington, D.C. Slots are still available in the two-day COGNITIVE INTERVIEWING FOR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS course (June 19-20), which provides participants with the tools to conduct sound investigative interviews of participants in, and witnesses to, transportation incidents... Read more
28-May-2012
NATO officials said two coalition members were killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan Monday. Initial reports said there was no enemy activity in the area. Two named as Capt. John R. Brainard, 26, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; and Chief Warrant Officer 5 John C. Pratt, 51, of Springfield, Va., were assigned to the 12th... Read more
28-May-2012
PHi LongRanger down in GOM. Sole occupant pilot lost his life – body found and recovered four hours after accident. Helicopter completely submerged. Pilot later named as Arturo Lebron... Read more
28-May-2012
Precautionary field landing made during sightseeing flight. N o damage to helicopter. Another helicopter from the same operator came and picked up the passengers.... Read more
28-May-2012
An ISAF helicopter crashed during routine operations in eastern Afghanistan today, no fatalities reported. NOTE – there was a second accident in the same region on the same day which was fatal – see here... Read more
28-May-2012
Helicopter under contract to the City of Whitehorse for mosquito control work was flying low level when it hit wires – pilot was blinded by the sunshine during a turn. Pilot put 206 down safely in a creek. No damage to helicopter or injury to pilot. 400 properties temporarily without power. CADAORS 2012C2112... Read more
28-May-2012
Emergency landing in field, no damage... Read more
27-May-2012
Tail struck ground while hovering, causing helicopter to crash land on its side... Read more
27-May-2012
Crashed shortly after take off from Grand Central Airport, coming to rest against a concrete fence. The two occupants were severely injured – see photos here and here... Read more
26-May-2012
Pilot experienced some difficulties and elected to put the helicopter down in a mangrove swamp on approach to Tumaco airport. All four (one report says five) occupants safely recovered... Read more
26-May-2012
FAA says “crashed under unknown circumstances”... Read more
25-May-2012Source: HAI
A gap in safety between experimental and certificated aircraft is widest on the first flight, and the early hours of flying in a new pilot’s hands. That is among the conclusions of a detailed analysis released by the NTSB on May 22 along with a set of recommended changes approved unanimously by the board. Working... Read more
25-May-2012
Hughes 500C was crop spraying when it hit wires. Pilot seriously injured and airlifted to hospital.... Read more
25-May-2012
Helicopter was fire-bombed while parked on the helipad outside Verde Valley Medical Center. Alleged that a beer bottle filled with fuel was thrown into cockpit – photos show extensive fire damage in that area... Read more
25-May-2012
Lost power and force landed on beach. Slight damage to tail boom noted from press photo. Helicopter was en route to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport made an emergency landing this afternoon on Longboat Key’s Gulfside beach.... Read more
24-May-2012Source: ABC
Darwin Magistrates Court has heard 41-year-old Mark Sullivan strapped a power generator filled with fuel into an empty passenger seat of the helicopter and failed to comply with a number of procedures outlined in an operations manual. (see full story)... Read more
24-May-2012Source: FAA
The FAA have issued document No.: 2012-20111019001 as follows: AFFECTED PRODUCTS: Subcomponents and brackets produced by Chelton Avionics, Inc. (dba Wulfsberg Electronics Division) Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) PURPOSE: This notification advises all aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, and parts distributors regarding ELT subcomponents and brackets produced without Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) production approval. BACKGROUND:... Read more
24-May-2012
Helicopter crashed following a wire strike and caught fire in remote mountainous area. Three fatalities.... Read more
24-May-2012
One person was killed and another critically injured when the R44 crashed on Thursday into the veld. Helicopter ended up on its port side. Fatality named in online forum as Riaan Van Brakel... Read more
24-May-2012
Hard landing on the runway, which meant that the runway was closed for 80 minutes.  2 POB not injured.... Read more
23-May-2012
Helicopter crashed into a river on a training flight. Student pilot Captain Shmer and instructor Major Zahid Bari missing, presumed dead due to the fast flow rate of the river. Update – student’s body recovered some days later. Helicopter type confirmed from 26s in to this video... Read more
23-May-2012
Crashed, killing pilot Major Chandrashekhar Singh, shortly after dropping off supplies at a helipad in the Himalayas at an altitude of 19,685ft... Read more
21-May-2012
Unclear what happened. Owner Frikkie Lutzkie decided to cut skids off “for ease of ground transportation”, cut blades off and remove the boom. Helicopter was then smeared with mud and camouflaged with copious amounts of foliage. Helicopter uninsured. Date is approximate, but likely within a week of the correct date. Read reports at the three links... Read more
21-May-2012
It is believed the helicopter had been contracted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to spray for gorse when it went down at the northern end of Lake Sumner. Helicopter and pilot missing – pilot named as  35-year-old Mike Mehrtens – company website here quotes him as a 3,500 hour pilot... Read more
20-May-2012Source: AAIB
The monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been released. This month’s issue covers the accidents of:- MD900 Explorer (G-CEMS), landing gear failure at Leeds Bradford Airport on 29 July 2011 Robinson R22 Beta (G-BXUC), loss of control after landing at Gloucester Airport on 22 September 2011 Robinson R44 II, Raven II (G-ROTG),... Read more
20-May-2012
Pilot had informed ATC of mechanical concerns but did not quite reach the airport, the helicopter being severely damaged when landing half a mile stort of Magic Valley Regional Airport (Joslin Field). Photos show the cabin completely separated from the tail boom.... Read more
19-May-2012
Main blades chopped tail boom on landing... Read more
19-May-2012
Fell on its side during landing... Read more
18-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
18-May-2012
Crashed on take off from an altitude of approx 10m on a training flight. 4 of 5 occupants killed – at least some from the Bolivian military, being trained in Venezuela. One fatality named as Col. Oscar Martinez Mora. Photo here shows the tail boom having been cut by the main rotors... Read more
18-May-2012
Minor damage in accident while helicopter was involved in operations to do with a ratio antenna in support of a sports challenge on the island called “Transportation Achilles”. The three crew members were unharmed – Fernando Saver Oyarzún, Claudio Navarrete Flores and Rodrigo Vargas Soto. One source quotes the helicopter serial number as “38” but... Read more
18-May-2012
Las Vegas police Huey rescue helicopter clipped a Red Rock Canyon wall with its main rotor blades on a training flight with 5 POB.  Sources say a strong wind gust pushed the Bell HH-1H helicopter into a canyon wall in the Spring Mountain range. Safe landing, no injuries... Read more
17-May-2012Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a study called General Aviation Airports: A National Asset. The FAA conducted the 18-month study to capture the many diverse functions of general aviation (GA) airports. As a result, the general public will have a better understanding of GA airports in the community and within the national air transportation... Read more
17-May-2012Source: US Army
At approximately 8:15 p.m. May 15 the Fort Hood Police Station received a call from a Killeen resident to report an unknown object falling into an open field adjacent to Aquarius Drive and Trimmier Drive in Killeen, Texas, from an AH-64 Apache helicopter. Killeen Police Department responded and located the object which was impaled into... Read more
17-May-2012Source: Australian DoD
The Australian Army has suspended Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter flying operations for training activities due to a concern following the detection of fumes in the cockpit of one of the aircraft. The Australian Army has a fleet of 22 Tiger helicopters, 19 of which are in the fully capable configuration operating in the fleet. The... Read more
17-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
T his news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and... Read more
17-May-2012Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has directed its investigators and staff to pursue stiffer penalties for individuals who purposefully point laser devices at aircraft. “Shining a laser at an airplane is not a laughing matter. It’s dangerous for both pilots and passengers, and we will not tolerate it,†said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We... Read more
17-May-2012
A medical helicopter came within 1,000 feet of three military jets after dropping off a patient, a spokesman for healthcare organization Carilion Clinic said.... Read more
