ATTN All Hoist Users

[KiwiNedNZ]

Something for everyone who uses hoists to read ASAP

Hoist Urgent Update from ATSB (https://www.heliopsmag.com/important-safety-notice-issued-to-helicopter-winching-operators)

[[email protected]]

Surely everyone does a proper hoist check before flight, including a close inspection of the whole hook-end assembly? And then a further check after use - winch run-out or winch wash?

[blackdog7]

Surely......interested in some waterfront property?

[snakepit]

Surely everyone does a proper hoist check before flight, including a close inspection of the whole hook-end assembly? And then a further check after use - winch run-out or winch wash?

There appears to have been a degree of poor hook stowage crab and the damage it caused was predominantly to the internal 7 strands, until failure. The unit in question had another aircraft hoist and the cable damage was similar on that cable so this wasn’t isolated.

Sometimes the reason for simple procedures and best practice get ‘forgotten’ and poor adherence to SOPs creeps in. Failure to keep tension on a hook and therefore cable as it is being stowed can lead to the hook bumper impacting the ‘up stop’ prematurely and leaving the cable very slightly slack. This allows the hook to move and causes premature internal cable wear as in this case.

it is not uncommon to see Hoist operators simply letting the hook go as it is stowed. If you are a rescueman and see that then a de-brief and reminder is in order.

[[email protected]]

There appears to have been a degree of poor hook stowage crab and the damage it caused was predominantly to the internal 7 strands, until failure. The unit in question had another aircraft hoist and the cable damage was similar on that cable so this wasn’t isolated.

Sometimes the reason for simple procedures and best practice get ‘forgotten’ and poor adherence to SOPs creeps in. Failure to keep tension on a hook and therefore cable as it is being stowed can lead to the hook bumper impacting the ‘up stop’ prematurely and leaving the cable very slightly slack. This allows the hook to move and causes premature internal cable wear as in this case.

it is not uncommon to see Hoist operators simply letting the hook go as it is stowed. If you are a rescueman and see that then a de-brief and reminder is in order.

True - our rearcrew would always keep downward pressure on the hook until it was stowed:ok: