Helicopter

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    Two Robinson R22 Helicopters Crash in Australia

    What: Robinson R22 helicopters
    Where: Springvale Station, about 50km north of the Halls Creek, at a remote Western Australian cattle station
    When: May 5
    Who: pilot Wanganui pilot Matthew Warrick William Funnell, 39 and pilot 37-year-old Troy Aaron Wareham. Funnell is the cousin of John Funnell, managing director of Helicopter Services BOP – which provides air ambulance services.
    Why: When the pilots did not return, a search party was sent out, which discovered the wreckage. The crash is under investigation

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    Helicopter Crash Kills Pilot

    What: two-seater Robinson R22
    Where: Game reserve outside Port Alfred, Kariega Park Game Reserve situated between Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred
    When: 11am
    Who:
    Why: During a game capturing expedition, the helicopter crashed, killing the the pilot who was from KwaZulu-Natal.


    View Kariega in a larger map
    Approx location of game reserve

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    Robinson R22 Blown Down in Hong Kong

    What: Robinson R22
    Where: on the site of Hong Kong’s former Kai Tak international airport
    When: May 3
    Who: 2
    Why: During strong winds, the helicopter crashed into a coach parked about 100m away from the Hong Kong Aviation Club. The pilot and his son who was aboard were injured, as well as the coach driver; and all involved were taken to a local hospital. After the crash, the helicopter was reported as leaking fuel.

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    Medevac Disaster

    What: Medical evacuation helicopter en route from Ponte Lettia heliport in Upper Corsica
    Where: on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica in the mountainous area near the city of Bastia. The helicopter “brutally” flew into a mountain in poor weather.
    When: Sun Apr 26, 2009
    Who: Five people: two pilots, a medic and two patients
    Why: In spite of bad weather (fog, wind and rain), there was no distress signal. The medical team hadn’t realized how close to delivery the mother was; the helicopter was en route to the hospital as the Frenchwoman was giving birth. Mother and newborn perished in the crash along with everyone aboard. A rescue team of 150 found the wreckage.

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    Sikorsky S-92A Main Gearbox (MGB) Malfunctions.

    Subject:
    Sikorsky S-92A Main Gearbox (MGB) Malfunctions.

    Ref. Publications:
    Sikorsky Safety Advisory SSA-S92-08-006 dated 26 September Sikorsky Safety Advisory SSA-S92-08-006 dated 26 September 2008; and Sikorsky CCS-92-AOL-09-0008 dated 14 March 2009.

    Description:

    The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation published SSA-S92-08-006 to The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation published SSA-S92-08-006 to  inform owners and operators of impending Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) changes, prompted by service difficulties with the S-92A MGB lubrication system. More recently, CCS-92-AOL-09-0008 was published to inform owners and operators about a recent accident with an S-92A helicopter. The latest advisory document contains reminders of existing Sikorsky service publications that recommend specific action(s) that may or may not be related to the root cause(s) of the latest accident. CCS-92-AOL-09-0008 also specifies that ‘compliance’ with Sikorsky Safety Advisories is ‘essential’.

    After reviewing the information and pending the investigation, EASA supports the recommendations contained in CCS-92-AOL-09-0008, with the exception of SSA-S92-08-006. This advisory document refers to RFM changes that have not yet been approved by the FAA. In fact, the SSA specifies the ‘corrective action’ as “Ensure all flight crews become familiar with the RFM changes when received”. This SIB is published to ensure that all owners and operators of affected rotorcraft, registered in European Union Member States or associated countries, are aware that the procedures specified in SSA-S92-08-006 have not been approved by FAA or EASA. The relevant emergency procedures in the approved RFM must be observed.


    Applicability:

    Sikorsky S-92A helicopters, all serial numbers.

    Contact:
    For further information contact the Airworthiness Directives, Safety For further information contact the Airworthiness Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. Copies of the referenced advisory documents and any other related Sikorsky service publications may be obtained upon request from Sikorsky Commercial Product Support, or call the Customer Service Engineering Desk, telephone: +1 203-416-4299, or E-mail: sikorskywcs@sikorsky.com.

    http://www.sikorsky.com/vgn-ext-templating-SIK/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=65f9e39d40a78110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD

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    Mexican Helicopter Crash Kills 3

    What: Mexican Geological Services helicopter
    Where: northwestern state of Sinaloa 19 miles from the city of Los Mochis in the mountain town of Sinoloa de Leyva
    When: Wednesday
    Who: Three Mexican Geological Service employees: David Barbosa Luna, engineer managing SGM’s Western Region, Alberto Montañes Castro, project coordinator , and helicopter’s pilot Capt. Rodrigo Navarro Jimenez
    Why: 3 SGM workers managing field activities for the preparation of two geological mining charts were killed on the job. The flight was returning from the mountain and landed on or in the Sinoloa de Leyva Baseball stadium. They were en route to Sinoloa to refuel and check a faulty engine.

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    Helicopter Update: 16 Passengers All Lost

    The Bond website is temporarily suspended.

    Helpline phone number for relatives is 01224 836479

    Pilot Paul Burnham, 31, from Methlick, Aberdeenshire
    Co-pilot Richard Menzies, 24, of Droitwich Spa, Worcs.
    Oil workers from Aberdeen; Raymond
    Brian Barkley, 30
    James Costello, 24,
    Vernon John Elrick, 41
    Alex Dallas, 62,

    Oil workers
    Doyle, 57, of Cumbernauld
    James John Edwards, 33, of Liverpool,
    Nairn Ferrier, 40, of Dundee,
    Nolan Carl Goble, 34, of Norwich,
    Gareth Hughes, 53, of Angus,
    Warren Mitchell, 38, of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire,
    David Rae, 63, of Dumfries,
    Leslie Taylor, 41, of Kintore,
    Aberdeenshire
    Stuart Wood, 27, of Newmacher, Aberdeen.

    The name of one Latvian victim has not been released.

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    North Sea Helicopter Crash: 18 on board


    Actual helicopter G-REDL NOT pictured
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer
    What: Bond Helicopters Eurocopter AF332 L2 Super Puma crashed
    Where: In the sea off north-east Scotland
    When: 2pm Wednesday April 1
    Who: 16 people
    Why: Returning from an oil platform, the helicopter crashed in the North Sea

    Normand Aurora supply vessel was in the area and is looking for survivors and RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are racing to the scene.

    Relatives of victims have been asked to call 01224 836479.

    You may remember Bond Helicopters Feb 18 crash in which 18 people on board survived. That was when individuals were allowed to wear transmitters. (Currently there are safety concerns over the use of personal distress beacons–they are NOT allowed because they interfere with the on board transmitter.)

    George’s Point of View

    When I was 16, I took my hard earned bucks and purchased a used car, my first car. And my Dad said, “Son, you have to change the oil regularly. Check the water in the radiator, air in your tires and take it to a mechanic regularly for a checkup.”

    Aviation vessels need simple attention and lots of love and care by mechanics.

    You have to wonder about maintenance. Some planes, helicopters, are busy all day long, taking off and landing. When are they on the ground enough to get checked?

    At this time, eight dead have been found. Would they all have been found alive if they had been allowed PCBs (Personal Locator Beacons) like in Bond’s February crash where they had PCBs and were rescued?

  • Turkish Helicopter Crash


    What: Rented Helicopter leaving an election rally in southern Kahramanmaras province
    Where: On a snow covered Turkishmountain top between the towns of Sisne and Elmali in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaras.

    When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
    Who: 6 victims including Muhsin Yazicioglu leader of nationalist Great Unity Party in Ankara, Turkey. injured passenger Ismail Gunes survived the crash, and called for help on his cell phone and a cameraman was injured; but by the time rescuers made it through the snow and fog, there were no survivors.
    Why: Under Investigation but it is speculated that the cause of the crash was heavy fog. Recovery of the bodies was hampered by snow. Helicopter pieces were spread over an area of about 50-60 meters. One or more of the crash victims survived the crash but not the cold, nor the delay of the rescue teams, which were stalled by the weather.

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    18 Dead or Missing in Newfoundland Helicopter Crash


    Pictured: Couger-owned Sikorsky S-61N Helicopter
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Phil Earle


    What: Cougar Helicopter’ Sikorsky Helibus (twin-turboshaft) en route to offshore Hibernia oil field to bring down two passengers and 14 were going to the Sea Rose oil platform
    Where: off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, in the Atlantic.
    When: Thursday morning March 12
    Who: 18 people aboard
    Why: At 9:15 a.m., the Sikorsky pilot sent an SOS to Gander Newfoundland air traffic controllers. After the mayday, the helicopter ditched in the Atlantic. Two people were sighted but only one was recovered. Robert Decker, has been transported to St. John’s hospital. Searchers received signals from survival suits equipped with water-activiated locator beacons and integrated life vests.

    The search has been hampered by a gale force warning. Visibility is 10 nautical miles.

    Couger, Husky Energy and ExxonMobile have made statements to the press. The Hibernia oil platform is owned by ExxonMobil Canada, Chevron Canada Resources, Petro-Canada, Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Oil and StatoilHydro Canada Ltd.

    The SeaRose oil platform in the White Rose oil and gas field is operated by Husky Energy and Petro-Canada.

    Flight Aware

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    Helicopter Fatality in McPherson


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ted Quackenbush
    What: Bell 206 registered to Hillcrest Aircraft Company en route from Ogallala, Nebraska to Wichita. to Virginia for the U.S. Forest Service.
    Where: Buckskin Road between 19th and 20th Avenues in McPherson County, 40 miles north of Wichita.
    When: 2:45 p.m. Sunday March 8, 2009
    Who: Pilot Roger Hershner was the only one aboard.
    Why: The helicopter crashed after being in route for 2 hours; the crash is under investigation.

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    Helicopter Crash Lawsuit Filed

    A wrongful death suit has been filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court seeking $8 million on behalf of Shawn Blazer, one of nine men killed in a helicopter crash on Aug. 5. The helicopter crashed right after take-off as it was transporting crews battling Northern California wildfires at Trinity Alps Wilderness. Two other suits, each seeking $10 million were filed on behalf of Matthew Hammer and Bryan Rich. Negligence and design flaws are among the allegations.

    Additional negligence and liability suits are anticipated.

    Read more here and here

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    4 Fatalities in Colombian Helicopter Crash


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Javier Franco TOPPER
    What: Huey II police helicopter
    Where: crashed in South Colombia
    When: March 4
    Who: four people on board; 4 fatalities: Lts. Juan Valero and Hernan Leal – the pilot and co-pilot, respectively – and agents Yesid Vidal and Gustavo Ibañez.
    Why: The helicopter was missing since early Tuesday. It was located by search and rescue teams in the southern Colombian province of Putumayo. The wreckage was found 10 km from the town of Villa Garzon, Republic of Colombia. The helicopter’s last known operation was returning from transporting workers with the government to manually eradicate local illegal coca crops; the last known communication was with air traffic controllers at 1.25 a.m. Tuesday.

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    Helicopter Crashes in Africa

    What: bright-orange helicopter
    Where: between the Carnival City Casino and the Rondebult offramp, (beside the road) Boksburg
    When: 10.30am
    Who: two injured were both men aged between 30 and 40.
    Why: The crash is under investigation. Witnesses say the helicopter “fell like a rock.”

    One was treated by ER24 and taken to Glynnwood Hospital in Benoni; the other suffered head injuries and was treated by paramedics; he was placed on advanced life support and ported to the Netcare Union Hospital in Alberton.

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    Hughes Helicopter Crash


    What: Hughes 369-F chopper owned by Blackwater Worldwide (now called Xe.)
    Where: U.S. Training Center campus 30 minutes south of Norfolk, Va.
    When: Feb. 24, 2009–Tuesday 1:33 p.m.
    Who: Instructor and student. (Instructor was declared dead on site; student was ported to a hospital.)
    Why: The instructor and student were on a practice run when the helicopter’s skid apparently clipped an object on the ground and it crashed. The student was transported to a Chesapeake, Va hospital.

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    Medical Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing in St. Louis


    pictured: Arch Helicopter
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Tim Lane
    What: Arch Air Medical Services helicopter
    Where: St. Louis Downtown Airport.
    When: engines failed at 2:35 p.m. Monday
    Why: While the helicopter was transporting a patient, it had an emergency, and made a landing at the St. Louis Downtown Airport. Patient was transported to destination by other means.

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    R-44 Crashes In Panama; 3 Killed


    Pictured: R-44
    Click to view full sized photo at Airliners.net
    Contact Photographer Jose Ramon Valero

    What: Robinson-44 (tail # HP-AM3 ) Raven II owned by the Atlantic Suntoys Corp. en route from from the region of Tucuti, in the Panamanian province of Darien, on the border with Colombia en route to Albrook on the banks of the Panama Canal.
    Where: Panama City’s international airport, Tocumen terminal
    Who: pilot Gary Muschette, and passengers Arturo Kam Tello and Ramon Ricardo Perez
    Why: Requesting permission to land at Tocumen, pilot Gary Muschette reported a mechanical malfunction.

    Witnesses said the helicopter was on fire before it fell from the sky.

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    Surviving a Helicopter Crash in the North Sea in Feb


    Click here for full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact Photographer Gary Watt

    What: EC225 Super Puma chopper en route to a drilling rig, the Global Santa Fe
    Where: in the North Sea, 500 yards from the BP ETAP platform.
    When: Wednesday February 18, 2009 6.40 pm
    Who: 16 passengers and 2 pilots
    Why: 125 miles east of Aberdeen, the helicopter was forced to ditch in conditions of poor visibility. Flotation bags kept the helicopter afloat. Passengers waited on two rubber rafts. Individuals on the platform called the coast guard. Rescue vehicles included a Nimrod from RAF Kinloss, a Coastguard copter and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth. Emergency homing beacons fitted to the rafts and the men’s survival suits assisted the rescue as conditions made them nearly invisible.

    Three were winched to a helicopter; 15 were rescued by lifeboat, taken to the platform and flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. A triumph of rescue. No fatalities.

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    Helicopter Beached in Encitas

    What: Robinson R22 en route from Palomar Airport Wednesday morning (no destination given)
    Where: Swami’s Beach in Encinitas
    When: Wednesday Feb 18
    Who: two flight instructors were aboard
    Why: After the aircraft developed mechanical problems, the pilot crash landed. No one was injured, but the tail of the helicopter broke off.

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    Polish Medevac Crash Kills 2 Rescue Workers


    Click here for full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact Photographer Bartosz Bujak

    What: Mi-2 Plus ambulance helicopter operated by Polish Medical Air Rescue (registration SP-SXF) en route to the scene of an accident near the southwestern town of Budziszow
    Where: Jarostów Poland
    When: 17-FEB-2009 7:50am
    Who: Pilot and medical assistant were killed, while the doctor was taken to a Wroclaw hospital for treatment.
    Why: A rescue team of the pilot, a doctor and a medical assistant were flying a rescue mission to a traffic accident at theA-4 freeway to assist a pregnant woman who had crashed in (car) traffic in foggy conditions. The helicopter hit the ground 20 km from their destination and 50 km west of Wroclaw. Visibility was poor and it was snowing.The cause of the helicopter crash is under investigation.

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    Chilean Helicopter Crash kills 13

    What: Celco Constitución helicopter
    Where: south-central Chile– in the Maule region about 185 miles south of Santiago
    When: Feb 15
    Who: Aboard were 12 firefighters, aged around 18 to 30, and the pilot,
    Why: The firefighters had been on their way to put out a fire at a eucalyptus plantation when the helicopter crashed. There was a dense mist in the area and that there was light rain at the time of the crash.

    Celco is owned by Empresas Copec.

    The number of deceased has been upgraded to 14.

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    UK: R-22 Crash


    Click here for full size photo on Airliners.net
    Contact photographer TFSPhoto
    What: Robinson 22 single seat helicopter out of Leeds Bradford Airport
    Where: near Sandtoft Air Field in a field near the village of Sandtoft
    When: 12.45pm Feb 14
    Who: Only the pilot was aboard
    Why: The pilot of the crashed helicopter was on his first solo flight. South Yorkshire and Humberside fire and rescue services were there; the pilot was pronounced dead.

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    Danube Helicopter Crash; 1 fatality

    What: Robinson-44
    Where: Danube river at Csepel Island near Lagymanyos Bridge
    When: Tuesday, 10 February 2009
    Who: executive of the general contractor of a sewage treatment project in S Budapest died in the crash. The pilot and and a photographer were rescued.
    Why: The rotor was erratic before the helicopter crashed into steel moulds used to pour in concrete of the structure being built.

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    Norwegian Helicopter Crash

    What: HeliTeam Eurocopter AS350 en route from Harstad to Alta.
    Where: near the Swedish border.
    When: Wednesday
    Who: One person killed, one injured. It is unclear from our sources which was the pilot.
    Why: The crash occurred during heavy snow showers so weather may have been a factor.
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