Deviation From Approved Procedure During Training Flight Led to 2013 Helicopter Crash at Sept-Îles Airport

Dorval, Quebec (ots/PRNewswire) -

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today published
its investigation report (A13Q0021) [http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/rap
ports-reports/aviation/2013/a13q0021/a13q0021.asp ] into an accident
involving a helicopter training flight at the Sept-Îles Airport on 03
February 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 manoeuver 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.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine,
pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole
aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the
function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal
liability.

The TSB is online at http://www.tsb.gc.ca. Keep up to date through
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[http://www.bloguebst-tsbblog.com ].

For more information:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Media Relations
+1-819-994-8053
media@tsb.gc.ca

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