October AAIB out
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From: England & Scotland
October AAIB out
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Air Accidents Investigation: October 2011
G-SASH and summary of the N Sea Super Puma incident G-REDU
Air Accidents Investigation: October 2011
G-SASH and summary of the N Sea Super Puma incident G-REDU
Report name:
MD 900 Explorer, G-SASH
Summary:
On lifting to the hover, the downwash from the helicopter pushed one parked light aircraft into another.
The helicopter, an Air Ambulance, was on a routine positioning flight from LeedsBradfordAirport to Bagby Airfield, North Yorkshire. It had been positioned, by ground handling staff, on a designated helicopter landing spot which was 18 m away from, and upwind of, the West Apron on which several light aircraft were parked. Shortly after the pilot lifted the helicopter into the hover, the downwash caused a parked light aircraft to begin moving. After the parked aircraft had turned through 180°, its port wing wedged under the wing of an aircraft parked next to it, causing minor damage to both aircraft. The pilot, and the Duty Airside Safety Unit Officer who attended the incident, both reported that none of the light aircraft on the West Apron were chocked at the time of the incident.
Since this incident, aircraft parking arrangements at LeedsBradfordAirport have been reviewed and air ambulance helicopters no longer use the West Apron area.
MD 900 Explorer, G-SASH
Summary:
On lifting to the hover, the downwash from the helicopter pushed one parked light aircraft into another.
The helicopter, an Air Ambulance, was on a routine positioning flight from LeedsBradfordAirport to Bagby Airfield, North Yorkshire. It had been positioned, by ground handling staff, on a designated helicopter landing spot which was 18 m away from, and upwind of, the West Apron on which several light aircraft were parked. Shortly after the pilot lifted the helicopter into the hover, the downwash caused a parked light aircraft to begin moving. After the parked aircraft had turned through 180°, its port wing wedged under the wing of an aircraft parked next to it, causing minor damage to both aircraft. The pilot, and the Duty Airside Safety Unit Officer who attended the incident, both reported that none of the light aircraft on the West Apron were chocked at the time of the incident.
Since this incident, aircraft parking arrangements at LeedsBradfordAirport have been reviewed and air ambulance helicopters no longer use the West Apron area.
Last edited by John R81; 13th October 2011 at 11:40.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 439
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From: UK
G-SASH "The pilot, and the Duty Airside Safety Unit officer who attended the incident, both reported that none of the light aircraft on the West Apron were chocked at the time of the incident."
An MD 900 parked 18m from unchocked FWs. Not that chocks would have made much difference. Tie-downs more like it.
18m. Less than 60ft.
It's an extremely short report which is somewhat light on the detail. What actions did the pilot take once he saw the aircraft move? How can an experienced ground and aircrew take such a bad decision ? Did the helo get parked there just because the paint said so?
Did the pilot take any sort of safety decision before starting-up? Were the ground crew consulted?
An MD 900 parked 18m from unchocked FWs. Not that chocks would have made much difference. Tie-downs more like it.
18m. Less than 60ft.
It's an extremely short report which is somewhat light on the detail. What actions did the pilot take once he saw the aircraft move? How can an experienced ground and aircrew take such a bad decision ? Did the helo get parked there just because the paint said so?
Did the pilot take any sort of safety decision before starting-up? Were the ground crew consulted?
Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: EGDC
Helicopter downwash and light fixed wing shocker!!!
How many times do things like this have to happen before people realise that FW and RW parking/taxying just don't mix well?
How many times do things like this have to happen before people realise that FW and RW parking/taxying just don't mix well?
