Helicopter Safety | Collisions

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Collisions

Details+/-

Includes..

We are currently writing up a short synopsis of this subject, check back here soon.....

Videos+/-

2 Pumas collide at what looks like an airshow.

A 206 crashes onto cars after a wire strike

A 206 gets runover by an aeroplane

A 206 hits wires while follwing a car during the Baja race.

A Chinhook has a rotor strike on a load it has just placed on top of a bridge.

A Eurocopter Cougar hits its tail on the ground during a fast approach. The impact causes spline misalignment and loss of drive to the tail rotor [extracted from an email from eurocopter].

A Mil Helicopter Crashes in Mountainous Territory.

An apache hits wires at night, then impacts the side of a building.

An AS350 hits a car after transitioning from the hover in South Africa

An AS355 Crashes into the sea near St. Petersburg

An MI24 Hind Collides with a car.

An R22 lies on the 110 Freeway in LA after hitting wires at night

An R44 Collides with a hangar door.
Accident Report(s)

An RAF Wessex Suffers Tail Rotor Failure and then collides with the surface Llyn Padarn, a lake in North Wales.

Another View of helicopter crashing into aerials on a ship

AS350 Reverses into an EC-120

AS365 Dauphin Crashes During Rescue Demonstration (Taiwanese)

Australian Blackhawk crashes into the deck of a ship

Columbian police huey crash.

Enstrom 480 has a tail rotor strike onboard a ship.

Enstrom has a tail rotor failure.
From the video it looks like a stuck left pedal.

Helicopter Crashes into Aerials on a ship

MI-8 HIP Crashes into trees.

Mil Helicopter Crashes in the street

Mil Helicopter Crashes into a glacier.

News report on the aftermath of a powerline patrol wirestrike.
Accident Report N812CE

S-58 Suffers a tail rotor drive failure.

S-61 Appears to have a Tail Rotor Problem Landing on a Ship

Will It Fit Through The Gap ?

Publications+/-

Tail Rotor Failures

Ray Prouty article from Rotor and Wing on Tail Rotor Failures.

One Strike and you're out.

Flight Safety Australia article on helicopter wirestrikes.

Wire-strike Accidents in General Aviation: Data Analysis 1994 to 2004

Australian Wirestrike Report

An in depth look at one wirestirke accident that occurred while filming in Australia.

CAA Paper 2003/01 Helicopter Tail Rotor Failures

An incredibly detailed look at Tail Rotor Failures across a broad spectrum of helicopter types.

The prevention of future tail rotor failures by various methods is examined, and suggestions for how to deal with tail rotor failures are made.

Links To Accident Reports In Study+/-

Registration	Type	Date	Fatal
G-BKXD	AS365	09 Mar 2008
Fenestron struck helideck stanchion on landing. Subject to AAIB AARF investigation.
G-JAMA	H269	07 Sep 2007
A/c began to rotate, tail rotor hit ground and went through canopy. Substantial damage. Minor injury to one POB. Subject to AAIB AARF investigation.
G-OBIL	R22	18 Jul 2007
Helicopter lifted slightly, rotated approx 5-6 times then tail boom struck ground. Substantial damage. No injury to one POB. Subject to AAIB AARF investigation.
G-OSJL	R44	15 Jul 2007
Robinson R44 RAVEN (11), G-OSJL, Near Maynooth, Co Kildare, 15 July 2007: Report No 2007-022
G-CCGF	R22	10 Apr 2007
Tail rotor struck ground during hover taxi. Substantial damage. No injury to one POB. Subject to Irish AAIU investigation.
G-EKKO	R44	11 Mar 2007
Vibration on commencing hover taxi. Autorotative landing carried out. Tail rotor gearbox, rotors and fin detached. No injury to two POB. Subject to AAIB Field investigation.
G-ROUT	R22	22 Jan 2007
During a hover turn in a strong wind, the helicopter began to descend, struck a fence and rolled onto its side. Substantial damage. Two POB - one minor injury. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BLUN	AS365	27 Dec 2006	Fatal
Helicopter seen to descend into sea close to offshore platform. Seven POB fatal. Subject to AAIB Formal investigation.
G-JWFT	R22	16 Nov 2006
Whilst hover taxiing to landing point, helicopter suffered loss of tail rotor effectiveness after striking a wooden upright. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-GGRH	R44	16 Sep 2006
A/c collided with trees during a precautionary landing after terminating the flight due to poor visibility. Substantial damage. Minor injuries to two POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-OHSL	R22	08 Aug 2006
Tail rotor struck ground on landing. Substantial damage. No injury to one POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-VVWW	280	20 Jul 2006
Airframe vibration followed by low RPM warning and engine power loss. MAYDAY declared. Forced landing on playing field. AAIB Field investigation.
G-NEWS	B206	16 Jul 2006
During practise 'engine off' landing, tail strike protector hit ground, tail rotor gearbox detached and main rotor blades contacted vertical stabiliser. No injury to two POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-HBEK	A109	21 Jun 2006
Main rotor blades struck fuel bowser on landing. Extensive damage to main rotor head assembly and rotor blades. No injury to one POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BXGA	AS350	20 Jan 2006
Main rotor blades struck boulder on steep hillside. All three rotor blades damaged. No injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-SHAN	R44	10 Jun 2005
Wirestrike into sun, Mast Fairing Damaged
G-BDOC	S61	15 Sep 2004
During winch transfer of a pilot to a tanker, underside of main rotor contacted a mast. All 4 blades damaged. No injuries. AAIB Field investigation.
G-LIDS	R22	06 Jul 2004
Robinson R22 Beta, G-LIDS and Hybred 44XLR, G-MTJP
G-CBZL	Gazelle	22 Nov 2003
Helicopter struck power cables during approach to land and caught fire. Substantial damage. Minor injuries to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-STRO	R22	24 Sep 2003
During photographic sortie, skids contacted water and a/c tipped onto surface of sea. Substantial damage. No injuries to two POB. Spanish authority investigation.
G-PLMB	AS350	29 Aug 2003
Tail rotor contacted power cables. Forced landing in field. No injury to 3 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-HALE	R44	13 Aug 2003
Robinson R44 ASTRO, G-HALE, Arranmore Island Donegal, 13 Aug 2003: Report No 2005-001
G-BAGL	AS341	21 Jul 2003
UK Reportable Accident: Aircraft struck power cables during lift off. Substantial damage. No injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-SOOC	H369	03 May 2003
UK Reportable Accident: Tail rotor struck ground due to loss of control on take-off. Substantial damage. No injuries to 4 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-IANG	B206L	30 Apr 2003
Tail of helicopter struck power cables in low cloud. Forced landing in field. Aircraft destroyed. Minor injuries to 3 POB. AAIB Field investigation.
G-BWFY	AS350	10 Apr 2003
Aerospatiale AS350B1 Ecureuil, G-BWFY
G-BVJE	AS350	23 Feb 2003
Tail rotor struck surface of loch while collecting water. Damage to tail rotor and associated gearbox. No injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-ESAM	BO105	25 Dec 2002
Aircraft drifted backwards on take off and main rotor blades struck the branches of a tree. No injury to 4 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BURI	F28	03 Oct 2002
Tailstrike during simulated engine-off landing due to collective restriction. Substantial damage. No injuries to 2 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BOEX	R22	13 Aug 2002
Aircraft entered uncontrollable yaw/rotation in the hover and struck a parked helicopter. Aircraft destroyed. No injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-BBXO	F28	22 Jun 2002
Loss of control during spot turn. Tail rotor struck ground, aircraft pitched forward and landed heavily. No injury to 1 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-LNDS	R44	28 Mar 2002
Tail rotor contacted ground during hover turn. No injury to 2 POB. AAIB AARF investigation.
G-PDGN	AS365	21 Jan 2002
Aerospatiale SA365N Dauphin, G-PDGN
G-OGOA	AS350	18 Jan 2002
Aerospatiale AS350B Ecueuil, G-OGOA
G-DCCH	BO105	20 May 2001
Tail rotor struck tree during landing. Substantial damage. Minor injuries to 3 POB.
G-UTTS	R44	05 Nov 2000
Tail rotor struck ground after aircraft lifted into hover. Substantial damage. No injury to 4 POB.
G-AZOR	BO105	05 Sep 2000
Wire Strike on Short Final to an unprepared site, during air ambulance operations.
G-SUNY	R44	05 Aug 2000	Fatal
Robinson R 44 Wire Strike
G-NUTY	AS350	18 Jun 2000
Hit wires during filming task, poles hidden in trees, wires difficult to see in valley.
G-BYOP	R22	26 Feb 2000
A/c rolled onto side. A/c destroyed. 1 minor injury.
G-BXRL	SCOUT	16 Oct 1999
A/c crashed in quarry pool following suspected engine failure. A/c sank. 3 minor injuries.
G-SPEY	B206	03 Sep 1999
Agusta Bell 206B, G-SPEY, Wirestrike while filming.
G-WISP	R44	12 Aug 1999
A/c drifted forward after touch down. Main rotor struck bushes & a/c rolled over. Substantial damage. 2 POB - 1 minor injury.
G-WFOX	R22	07 Jul 1999
Tail rotor struck ground on start up. Substantial damage. No injury to 1 POB.
G-FINS	B206	23 Apr 1999
Struck power cables. A/c destroyed. Minor injury to 1 POB.
G-OPNI	B206	05 Apr 1999
Following inadvertent flight into IMC, pilot became disorientated & flew a/c into sea. A/c destroyed. Both occupants rescued.
G-BXTL	H269	12 Aug 1998
Loud bang heard during spot turn. A/c landed safely. Tail boom partially detached due to failure of attachment fittings. No injury.
G-MASK	AS355	26 Jul 1998	Fatal
Aircraft struck overhead power cables and crashed into a field. 3 POB fatal. AAIB Field investigation.
G-BAIB	F28	16 Jul 1998
Tail rotor struck ground during practice engine off landing. Minor damage to tail rotor. No injury to 2 POB.
G-BXRL	SCOUT	15 Jul 1998
Tail rotor struck tree during landing. Substantial damage. No injury to 3 POB.
G-BXMP	B206	07 Jul 1998
Skids contacted power cable. Forced landing. Tail rotor struck ground. Substantial damage. No injuries.
G-TECN	480	21 Mar 1998
After lifting into hover, a/c drifted rearwards, tail rotor struck gate & a/c rolled onto its side. Substantial damage, no injury.
G-PASE	AS355	10 Sep 1997
Mid-air collision with RAF Tucano. Both a/c sustained damage to tail area but landed without further incident. No injuries.
G-WIRE	AS355	09 Sep 1997
Gust of wind caused a/c to move sideways as it lifted underslung load. Main rotor hit power cable. Substantial damage. No injury.
G-BIMU	S61	24 Aug 1997
Main rotor blade strike during SAR mission. All blade tips damaged. A/c made forced landing in field. 3 POB - 2 minor injuries.
G-MENI	AS355	12 Aug 1997
Mid-air collision with Katana DV20. SA355 rolled over on landing - no inj to 2 POB. DV20 had damaged canopy & prop - 1 minor inj.
G-BFPP	47	11 Jul 1997
Struck power cables & landed tail first. Substantial damage. No injury to 4 POB.
G-BRNR	H269	19 Jun 1997
Late recovery from practice autorotation allowed a/c to strike ground tail first. Substantial damage. No injury to 2 POB.
Total Found	58
Total Fatal	3

A Graph of These Accidents By Model+/-

Count Of Model

Fatal Accidents


280	1
	0
47	1
	0
480	1
	0
A109	1
	0
AS341	1
	0
AS350	6
	0
AS355	4
	1
AS365	3
	1
B206	5
	0
B206L	1
	0
BO105	3
	0
F28	3
	0
Gazelle	1
	0
H269	3
	0
H369	1
	0
R22	10
	0
R44	9
	1
S61	2
	0
SCOUT	2
	0

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Source Data