TSB Releases Final Report From 2013 Helo Accident At Sept-Îles Airport | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.06.24

Airborne-NextGen-04.30.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers--05.02.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.03.24

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

TSB Releases Final Report From 2013 Helo Accident At Sept-Îles Airport

Deviation From Approved Procedure During Training Flight Led To Accident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has published its investigation report (A13Q0021) into an accident involving a helicopter training flight at the Sept-Îles Airport on February 3, 2013. The pilot instructor sustained serious injuries and the 2 pilots in training sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was heavily damaged.

The Eurocopter AS350 BA, operated by Héli-Excel Inc, was practicing various types of landings in unprepared areas. The aircraft then headed to the Sept-Îles Airport to undertake various simulated emergency exercises. At 0959 Eastern Standard Time, as the helicopter began its third hydraulic systems failure exercise, the flight instructor flew a short pattern at low altitude and low speed without hydraulic power. In the moments following the start of the final approach, the cyclic control stick moved sharply forward and to the left. The flight instructor gripped the cyclic stick to try and re-establish level flight. The main rotor blades struck the runway, and the aircraft came to a stop on its left side.

The investigation found that the approved procedure to complete this maneuver was not followed. As a result, the helicopter's flight profile deviated from the flight profile recommended by the manufacturer when the hydraulic system is depressurized. The investigation also found that in the absence of specific instructions for pilots regarding restoration of hydraulic pressure in the event of deviation from the flight profile, there is a risk that pilots will not be able to re-engage the hydraulic system while applying considerable effort to the helicopter controls.

The investigation made some other significant findings as to risk. First, the TSB has documented a number of cases where wearing a helmet would likely have reduced or prevented pilot injuries. Therefore, helicopter pilots who do not wear helmets are at increased risk of incapacitation, serious injuries or loss of life in the event of an accident. Secondly, the investigation revealed that there was no coordination of the emergency response. When emergency vehicles drive on an active runway without coordination between the airport operator and emergency response units, and with no means of communicating with the flight service station, there is a risk of collision on the runway.

(Image provided by TSB)

FMI: Full Report

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.05.24): Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System

Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System ODALS consists of seven omnidirectional flashing lights located in the approach area of a nonprecision runway. Five lights are located on t>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.05.24)

"Polaris Dawn, the first of the program’s three human spaceflight missions, is targeted to launch to orbit no earlier than summer 2024. During the five-day mission, the crew >[...]

Airborne 05.06.24: Gone West-Dick Rutan, ICON BK Update, SpaceX EVA Suit

Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]

Airborne 05.03.24: Advanced Powerplant Solutions, PRA Runway Woes, Drone Racing

Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.06xx.24)

“Our aircrews are trained and capable of rapidly shifting from operational missions to humanitarian roles. We planned to demonstrate how we, and our BORSTAR partners, respond>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC