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
11-Feb-2021
The pilot was conducting a positioning flight between two stations when the aircraft was reported missing on Thursday evening. The helicopter wreckage was located following a search coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority around 1130am Friday morning. The pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was fatally injured.... 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
4-Feb-2021
While conducting low level nighttime frost control operations, the helicopter dropped to the ground, rolled over and caught fire. No injury reported to the 2 POB... Read more
2-Feb-2021
Night training mission in a routinely used area. In a press conference (video, 7m50s) Lt. Col. Nicole Washington noted that the weather was poor, with snow and a low ceiling of fog that affected both the subject flight and later search efforts for the victims. The Guard named those on board as Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson,... Read more
31-Jan-2021
Crashed 5 minutes after taking off from McGhee Tyson Airport ... Read more
30-Jan-2021
Hit the ground and rolled over during low level training flight Student pilot was named as professional boxer Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena Facebook... Read more
29-Jan-2021
Helicopter was one of three making the same route within minutes of each other. This helicopter impacted terrain and all 5POB received fatal injuries – named here as Pilot: Ernesto Ivan Verdecia Diaz Copilot: Luis Miguel González Santana Flight Engineer: Nivaldo García Herrera Bodyguard: Yoani Alarcón Ramirez Bodyguard: Osneiviz Pedro Martinez Reyes ... Read more
27-Jan-2021
Remained upright in very heavy landing. Engine fire. Skids collapsed, boom detached. Pilot (only person on board) airlifted to Rancagua hospital Chilean Army photo from Twitter... Read more
26-Jan-2021
Emergency landing after receiving gunshot fire during drug interception operation. Helicopter landed safely but damaged... Read more
26-Jan-2021
Heavy autorotation landing. FAA report damage as Substantial... 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
22-Jan-2021
FAA report substantially damaged after main rotors contacted strawline. 2 POB not injured... Read more
22-Jan-2021
FAA report helicopter was substantially damaged after loss of tail rotor effectiveness on approach to land... Read more
21-Jan-2021
Crashed and caught fire, killing all five POB. The deceased were named here as Dr Kgopotso Rudolph Mononyane, an anaesthetist, Dr Curnick Siyabonga (Sia) Mahlangu a cardiothoracic surgeon and Mpho Xaba, a specialist theatre nurse for cardiothoracic and transplant, all from Netcare Milpark Hospital; Sinjin Joshua Farrance, an advanced life support paramedic at Netcare 911,... 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
20-Jan-2021
Helicopter impacted lake. All four POB died in the accident. When the helicopter was recovered, one blade was missing and the tail boom had been sliced off. Pilot named in this report as Elio Marcaccio while passengers Moisés Selvi and Euclides Quintero, and a unnamed 14 year-old were added from this report... Read more
19-Jan-2021
Helicopter involved in low level agricultural work. Struck wires and crashed to the ground. Pilot suffered fatal injuries... Read more
16-Jan-2021
Two UH-1s flying together and the pilot of the second aircraft remarked that he could see smoke from the engine of the first aircraft. The pilot of the first aircraft advised that they were turning back, but as it maneuvered, it nosedived, according to reports. The pilot reportedly made sure they would not crash land on a group... Read more
16-Jan-2021
Details unclear, apart from ending up on its port side as below Source... Read more
15-Jan-2021
Bird strike on night flight took out the port lower windshield. Emergency landing made at Amsterdam Heliport. Recording of ATC conversation in this YouTube video ... 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
14-Jan-2021
Helicopter crashed with the loss of all 3 POB after contacting powerlines. Weather conditions were reported as low visibility. Some reports say “AgustaWestland helicopter” and this probably means an AW109, given the Turkmen Border Guard are known to operate them. AW139 and AW101 helicopters are also operated by the local military. Date not certain. This... Read more
13-Jan-2021
Crashed shortly after taking off from an airport. All on board survived (Mi-24 is best guess at type. 3POB and an “attack helicopter” seem reasonably likely to be correct. “Apache” clearly is not. However, image issued by the Sudan News Agency shows the aft end of the tail boom and stinger of an AW109 –... Read more
13-Jan-2021
Field landing after reported engine failure on a training flight. No injuries reported to 2POB... Read more
12-Jan-2021
Port side skid got caught on take-off, causing helicopter to fall onto its side. FAA report Substantially damaged, no injuries to 2 POB... Read more
12-Jan-2021
Helicopter made an emergency landing on a mountain top and ended up nose down in the snow with its sliced tail boom pointing skywards and part of the tail rotor on the ground beside it ... Read more
11-Jan-2021
A family of four died in a helicopter crash, named in this press story as Ronald Hicks, 36, Shelly Hicks, 32, Parker Hicks, 8, and Jaylyn Hicks, 5, of Bell, Florida. The helicopter was registered to Hicks Seal Coating & Striping LLC. A father, mother, and their two children were killed Thursday night when their private... Read more
10-Jan-2021
Helicopter ended up submerged in a river, reasons currently unclear Pilot freed himself, swam to river bank and called for help. Male passenger freed, but female passenger trapped and declared dead at scene... Read more
10-Jan-2021
Landing accident, likely caused by brown-out. Tail boom sliced by main rotor disc. Helicopter was arriving from Juba, and was carrying the body of the late hon. Gabriel Matur Malek. Entourage included General Garang Mabil, General Majak Arol and Brigadier Mamer Ayom. The latter is quoted saying “When it reached Cueibet town, there is a football field and... Read more
9-Jan-2021
Landed heavily on snow, skids broken, tail boom sliced by main blades... Read more
9-Jan-2021
Helicopter was lifting an air conditioning units from street level to the roof of the Elihu Harris State Building (1515 Clay Street) when the load dropped. No injuries were reported.... Read more
9-Jan-2021
Loss of power on take off, autorotation into field. FAA report substantially damaged. No injuries to 3POB... 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
6-Jan-2021
Helicopter was on final approach to land at its base airport Vila Velha en route from Guarapari and suddenly lost height from 200ft to the ground. Both occupants in the helicopter received fatal injuries. They were named in this report as pilot Octavio Schneider Guieroz (68) and his girlfriend Lucimara Poleto (52). Video of accident... Read more
5-Jan-2021
Helicopter made a precautionary landing, but the field was very soft and it sank into the soil, which initiated an exercise to extract it using cranes etc over two or three days. RAF Benson photo... Read more
2-Jan-2021
Damaged after losing control during take off from Cape Town International Airport. Helicopter ended up on its starboard side on the apron outside a hangar. The pilot was flying alone and only suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.... Read more
1-Jan-2021
Helicopter collided with terrain, killing all four on board – the owner, his wife and two of their five children – named in this report as Wade Balisky, 45, and Aubrey Balisky, 37, and two of their children, Jewel, 8, and Fleur, 2. They were survived by their oldest three children. Location was a wide open... Read more
1-Jan-2021
Low level manouevre to avoid another aircraft caused helicopter to crash... Read more
1-Jan-2021
Badly damaged in dynamic rollover on a training flight. Pilot named here as Kharudin Dahlan, 72, and his co-pilot was, Moithu Kutti Mohamad, 52... Read more
31-Dec-2020
After landing, and while taxying to be refuelled, a manoeuvre resulted in the tail hitting a lighting tower. This caused the helicopter to spin on the ground, during which the main blades then hit the tower too. Video of incident here.... Read more
30-Dec-2020
Helicopter had taken off from the Isewan Helipad in Tsu City. Circumstances of accident unclear but it is noted that high winds were recorded around that time and a local weather observatory had issued a gale advisory. Pilot named here as Kotaro Demura, 46, was taken to a hospital but died later the same day Accident... Read more
30-Dec-2020
Crashed in white-out conditions during landing, during which the main rotor disc hit the ground. 20 minutes after the accident the helicopter caught fire and completely burned out. It is evident from images that the helicopter was written off in the accident (boom in multiple pieces) prior to the conflagration. Pilot named in this report... Read more
29-Dec-2020
Crashed and completely burned out. Helicopter was involved in low-level work – trimming trees off power lines – when it crashed Pilot named here as Jason Krakowiak... Read more
27-Dec-2020
Operator quoted as saying “An S-92 helicopter which was flying without any passengers returned to Aberdeen airport this morning (27.12.2020) after crew reported a cockpit warning light illumination. The crew followed standard precautionary procedures by requesting priority to land. “... Read more
26-Dec-2020
Helicopter was involved in an operation to evacuate the body of a shaheed soldier, Abdul Qadeer The four on board were named here as Pilot Major M. Hussain, Co Pilot Maj Ayaz Hussain, Naik Inzimam Alam and Sepoy Muhammad Farooq. No details on cause of accident... 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
23-Dec-2020
Accident on training flight. Two POB both injured and airlifted out. Helicopter ended up on its port side EMERCOM photo... Read more
20-Dec-2020
Substantially damaged – during a touch-and-go, helicopter touched down and fell onto its side 1 minor injury... Read more
19-Dec-2020
Starboard transmission cowling flipped up into the main rotor shortly after departure... Read more
16-Dec-2020
Helicopter descended in an uncontrolled spiral into the sea in clear calm weather – see video. The three on board did not survive. The Algerian military is quoted here as stating that the three onboard were Lt Col Kharousa Noureddine, Lt Col Al Wafi Muhammad Al Amin, and Lt Bouzaida Noureddine ... Read more
16-Dec-2020
43 year old pilot injured in accident while involved in ag spraying work, after hitting wires and crashing on a steep hillside. Helicopter came to a halt further down the slope, but apparently still on its skids. Airlifted to Gisborne Hospital Registration has been assumed on the basis of this being the only R44 on the... 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
15-Dec-2020
Helicopter crashed on rocky beach. Eyewitness reported seeing the helicopter spiralling out of control and plummeting to the ground Two fatalities named as owner/pilot Andrew Hamish Davidson, 60, and wife Lin Chen, 39. Three injured passengers including their two children and another child. The children – two boys and a girl – were all aged under 14 TAIC photo... Read more
15-Dec-2020
The helicopter’s main rotor blade struck electricity supply wires and then landed in a clearing. The pilot was uninjured. Power was disrupted to around 18 homes. Low level agricultural spray operations.... Read more
11-Dec-2020
Helicopter crashed after striking a wire. Pilot died in the accident – and was named here as Eurico Azevedo... 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
10-Dec-2020
Sketchy details but both occupants received fatal injuries, named here as pilot Zane Whitesides, 31, and passenger Zack Pfeuffer, 32... Read more
8-Dec-2020
Helicopter was carrying an air rescue crew on a training mission when it fell from an altitude of (5,900ft). The surviving pilot raised the alarm at around 19:10 local time (18:10 GMT) after managing to escape from the helicopter. The crew onboard consisted of two pilots – one in training – along with two winch operators and... Read more
8-Dec-2020
Safe emergency landing after diversion due to unspecified technical issue – instead of returning to Aberdeen. A one-off flight by sister ship G-IACF was flown Aberdeen to Sumburgh to Aberdeen a few hours later, presumably to bring back the passengers temporarily stranded.... Read more
8-Dec-2020
Student solo (aged 63) – at a height of 50-100 meters, there was a loss of engine power. The helicopter touched down hard and rolled onto its side around 15-20m from the runway in the grass.... Read more
5-Dec-2020
Helicopter clipped powerlines during the take-off phase and made a heavy emergency landing on highway 77. Nearby neighbours moved the helicopter off the road onto the grass verge. Skids splayed out, but rotor blades seemingly untouched and helicopter remained upright. 3 POB not injured... Read more
5-Dec-2020
At approximately 140 KIAS, the right rear passenger door came open. The PIC had also heard and felt a change in the aircraft. PIC immediately slowed down the aircraft and the flight nurse in the back of the aircraft while still seat-belted was able to close the door. Upon safe landing and exiting of the... Read more
4-Dec-2020
Take off from a temporary helipad in Higashi Matsuyama, Miyagi Prefecture at 10:50 (JST). The flight was for carrying trees with a sling (total weight of about 380 kg), and at an altitude of about 90 m near Miyato Kokegaura in Higashi Matsuyama, one of the trees (about 30 kg) fall in a paddy field. No... 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
2-Dec-2020
Helicopter collided with terrain during a training flight. The pilot and instructor on board were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed by fire. The student pilot was named as Andrew Goldman... Read more
2-Dec-2020
Tail strike on landing... Read more
2-Dec-2020
Crashed on take-off during an anti-poaching operation. Army spokesperson advised that all five Botswana Defence Force members aboard the helicopter survived the accident and are currently receiving medical attention... Read more
