[Peetwo]

Chopper water crashes - A point of comparison?

References: ATSB - AO-2018-026 & Accidents Domestic post #277

Vs

NTSB - https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases...80313.aspx

To be fair the ATSB investigation into the tragic 'collision with water' accident of Eurocopter EC120B, VH-WII has barely begun. However given the less than 2 week timeframe difference and the obvious similarities in accident scenario (overwater/helicopter/fatalities etc.) there is  IMO a perfect opportunity to conduct a 'point of comparison' review of just how the NTSB and ATSB go about business on two relatively high profile fatal AAIs...

Here is the ATSB AAI summary so far:

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Summary

The ATSB is investigating the collision with water of Eurocopter EC120B, VH-WII, which occurred near the Hardy Reef pontoon, north-east of Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland on 21 March 2018.

At about 1543 Eastern Standard Time, the helicopter was on approach to land on the pontoon when it collided with the water.

A team of four Transport Safety Investigators have been deployed to the accident location to commence the evidence collection phase of the investigation. Investigators will interview witnesses, pilot and passengers, examine any available recorded data, review operational and maintenance records and technical documentation amongst other investigation activities.

The evidence collection phase will also define the size and scope of the investigation and determine the expected timeframe for the completion of a final report.

Preliminary information about this accident is expected to be released in late April 2018 to provide an overview of the evidence collected.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.

Witnesses are encouraged to contact the ATSB, through our webpage

www.atsb.gov.au/witness or phone 1800 992 986.

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Note that all ATSB investigations now provide a reference link for the stage the investigation is at:

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Status: Active 


Phase: Evidence-Collection Read more information on this investigation phase

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This is a recent HVH led initiative supposedly to be more transparent and to keep interested parties better informed.

The other recent initiative is the introduction of this statement:

"...Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken..."

Call me cynical but this statement is almost totally obsolete as the amount of 'Critical Safety Issues' (CSI) ever issued by the ATSB prior to the release of a final report could, I believe, be counted on one hand. 

This statement is IMO little more than a lipservice exercise to recognise the ATSB's tick-a-box compliance to ICAO Annex 13. Note that the ATSB identifying a CSI does not necessitate (as per most ICAO signatory States) the direct and immediate promulgation of a 'safety recommendation'...       

This brings me to the NTSB AAI progress so far:

UPDATE: NTSB Investigation of New York City Helicopter Crash 3/13/2018

NEW YORK (March 13, 2018)—The National Transportation Safety Board continued its investigation Tuesday into the March 11, 2018 crash of an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 (N350LH) into New York’s East River.

The helicopter was substantially damaged when it impacted the river and subsequently rolled inverted during an autorotation, killing five passengers and injuring the pilot.

The pilot had contacted the LaGuardia Airport air traffic control tower for entry into the Class B airspace while flying at an altitude of 2,000 feet. Approximately five minutes later, the pilot declared “Mayday” and stated that the helicopter’s engine had failed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the scheduled 30-minute aerial photography flight that was operated by Liberty Helicopters under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Helo Kearny Heliport (65NJ), Kearny, New Jersey.

Parties to the NTSB investigation are the Federal Aviation Administration, Liberty Helicopters and the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile (BEA France). Airbus Helicopters and Safran Helicopter Engines are technical advisors to the investigation.

Significant activities today included:

- Physical examination of the accident helicopter at New York Police Department’s Aviation Unit headquarters in Brooklyn by airworthiness, powerplant, and survival factors investigator.
- Engine was prepared for removal and teardown
- Helicopter structure and systems examined by airworthiness investigators.
- Rotor and flight control systems examination initiated
- Survival factors investigators examined and documented passenger restraint system
- Investigators interviewed Liberty Helicopters’ chief pilot
- Interviewed witnesses and rescue personnel
- Interview with accident pilot to be scheduled
- NTSB’s Transportation Disaster Assistance team consulted with NYPD regarding personal effects.
- Recovered electronic devices, including a Go-Pro camera, which is being sent to the NTSB laboratories in Washington for readout.
- Recovered Appareo Vision 1000 from helicopter. Unit and memory card were placed in water for transport to NTSB laboratories. The Vision 100 could provide data on pitch, roll, and yaw as well as position, vertical speed, ground speed and altitude and ambient sound.

Imagery of the ongoing NTSB investigation are available at the NTSB's Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntsb/ and video is available at the NTSB's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/NTSBgov.


Contact: NTSB Media Relations
490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20594
Eric Weiss
(202) 314-6100
eric.weiss@ntsb.gov

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families.

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& 2 days later:

UPDATE: NTSB Investigation of New York City Helicopter Crash
3/15/2018


NEW YORK (March 15, 2018)—The National Transportation Safety Board continued its investigation Thursday into the March 11, 2018, accident in which an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 (N350LH) impacted New York’s East River.

The helicopter was substantially damaged when it hit the water and subsequently rolled inverted during an autorotation, killing five passengers and injuring the pilot.

Significant activities of the investigation include:

- Interviewed Liberty Helicopters personnel, including the accident pilot
- Conducted a teardown of the helicopter’s engine; no evidence of abnormalities was found
- Examined structure of helicopter; no evidence of pre-impact breakup
- Examined flight controls and found no pre-impact failure or malfunctions
- Interviewed witnesses to crash; interviews continue
- Obtained air traffic control voice and weather data, which is being reviewed in Washington
- Examined float system on helicopter, and this examination continues

NTSB investigators are seeking videos that show different angles or aspects of the accident sequence. Broadcasters or witnesses with video are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov

Then 6 days later the NTSB provided another update, announcing the issuing of an urgent Safety Recommendation:

NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendation to Prohibit Flights that Use Unsafe Harness Systems

3/19/2018

The National Transportation Safety Board Monday called on the Federal Aviation Administration to prohibit commercial flights that use passenger harness systems that do not allow for easy release during emergencies.

The urgent recommendation stems from the ongoing NTSB investigation of a fatal accident in New York City involving an Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 helicopter. The helicopter impacted the East River during an autorotation maneuver after the pilot reported a loss of engine power. The helicopter subsequently rolled inverted. The pilot, who was not wearing a harness, only manufacturer-installed lap and shoulder belts, escaped from the helicopter with minor injuries. Five passengers who wore the harnesses in addition to the safety belts remained inside the helicopter and drowned.

“While we applaud the FAA’s intention to move forward on banning these types of doors-off flights, the FAA has not outlined how or when they plan to take action,’’ said NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt. “And definitive action needs to be taken.”

The doors-off aerial photography flight was scheduled for 30 minutes and was operated by Liberty Helicopters under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.  



NEW YORK (March 13, 2018) --Harald Reichel, an Aerospace Engineer with the NTSB's Office of Aviation Safety, examines the engine of a Liberty Helicopters' helicopter that crashed in the East River here Sunday, March 11, 2018. The NTSB's Go Team has formed an operations group, airworthiness group, powerplants group and a survival factors group to conduct the NTSB's investigation of the crash. Reichel is the chair of the powerplants group. A weather group and air traffic control group were also formed using NTSB investigators in Washington. (NTSB Photo by Chris O'Neil)

The additional harness system consisted of a nylon fall-protection harness tethered via a lanyard to the helicopter. The harnesses allowed passengers to move securely within the helicopter, including sitting in the door sill, while airborne. The harness system was not installed by the helicopter manufacturer; it was comprised of off-the-shelf components that were provided to the passengers by FlyNYON, the company that sold the experience to the passengers. Under normal circumstances at the conclusion of each flight, FlyNYON personnel would release a locking carabiner located on the back of the passengers’ harnesses.

Despite being given a briefing on how to remove these additional harnesses using a provided cutting tool, none of the passengers were able to escape after the helicopter rolled over into the water. The pilot’s manufacturer-installed restraint system was required to comply with 14 CFR section 27.785©, which states that “Each occupant’s seat must have a combined safety belt and shoulder harness with a single point release.” The harness system provided to the passengers on the accident flight was not evaluated by the FAA.

The NTSB has a long-standing concern with safe egress for passengers aboard helicopters. As a result of a helicopter accident that occurred in 2008, the NTSB found that three of the surviving passengers’ unfamiliarity with the type of buckles on the restraints in the helicopter significantly hindered their ability to release their restraints when they attempted to evacuate the cabin under emergency conditions. In the 2008 accident, passengers received a briefing that described how to operate the rotary restraint, but the surviving passengers said they became confused with its release when the accident occurred.

NTSB weblinks:

Related News Releases

• March 19, 2018
  NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendation to Prohibit Flights that Use Unsafe Harness Systems
  
• March 15, 2018
  UPDATE: NTSB Investigation of New York City Helicopter Crash
  
• March 13, 2018
  UPDATE: NTSB Investigation of New York City Helicopter Crash
  

Related Reports

• Aviation Safety Recommendation Report ASR-18-02
  

MTF? - Definitely, standby for updates...P2