helicopter operations Archives

Paringa, New Zealand: A loose maintenance bolt that detached during flight caused an Airbus AS350BA helicopter to become increasingly difficult to control before it crashed near the Paringa River mouth on New Zealand's West Coast, according to final findings released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). The accident occurred on July 20, 2024, while an Amuri Helicopters Airbus AS350BA, registration ZK-HJM, was being flown from Queenstown to Franz Josef following maintenance work performed at Queenstown Aerodrome. The helicopter was carrying a pilot and one passenger. Both occupants sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospital, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage. According to the investigation, engineers from Salus Aviation had swapped the helicopter's left and right hydraulic servo actuators during scheduled maintenance. However, a critical securing bolt on the lower attachment point of the left-hand hydraulic servo actuator was not properly secured before the aircraft was returned to service. Investigators determined that the associated nut had not been tightened to the required torque and that a locking pin was either missing or incorrectly installed. Although the work was subject to a mandatory duplicate inspection by a second engineer, the defect went undetected. Approximately 52 minutes into the flight, the pilot felt a sudden jolt and observed abnormal main rotor blade tracking. Seven minutes later, concerned by the abnormal indications, the pilot initiated a precautionary landing. During the descent, cyclic control forces increased significantly, particularly when attempting left control inputs. As the helicopter descended to between three and seven metres above the ground, it rolled and collided with terrain before coming to rest on its left side. TAIC found that the securing bolt eventually detached completely during the flight, significantly limiting the pilot's control of the helicopter. The investigation identified several human-factor issues that contributed to the maintenance error. The engineer responsible for the task was reportedly distracted by both a customer interaction and a hydraulic fluid spill while performing the work. Investigators also found the engineer was working under time pressure ahead of a planned holiday and did not sufficiently verify the maintenance task before completion. The second engineer responsible for the duplicate safety inspection also failed to identify the improperly secured hardware. The engineer told investigators they could not explain why the defect was missed but acknowledged experiencing broken sleep at the time, which may have affected performance. Following the accident, Salus Aviation conducted an internal investigation and implemented a series of corrective actions. The company temporarily removed the involved engineers from release-to-service inspection duties, introduced additional training, strengthened inspection and documentation procedures, implemented independent post-maintenance inspections, and established regular assurance audits. Measures aimed at reducing workplace distractions and improving engineering oversight were also introduced. TAIC concluded that the maintenance provider had adequately addressed the safety deficiencies identified during the investigation. As a result, the Commission did not issue any formal safety recommendations.

Loose Bolt Left Undetected During Inspection Caused New Zealand Airbus AS350 Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / June 19, 2026

Paringa, New Zealand: A loose maintenance bolt that detached during flight caused an Airbus AS350BA helicopter to become increasingly difficult […]

Cedar City, United States: A training helicopter operated by the aviation program of Southern Utah University crashed at Cedar City Regional Airport on Saturday morning, leaving a pilot and a student pilot injured and prompting a federal investigation into the accident. According to authorities, the crash occurred on May 23, 2026, at Cedar City Airport in Iron County, Utah. Officers from the Cedar City Police Department responded to the scene after receiving reports of an accident involving an SUU helicopter used for flight training operations. Police said two people were onboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, a pilot instructor and a student pilot. Both occupants survived the crash and were transported to Cedar City Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Officials confirmed the helicopter sustained significant damage during the accident. However, no additional injuries were reported on the ground and no other property was damaged. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the helicopter type, registration number, flight phase, or the exact cause of the crash. “We are aware of the accident involving an SUU helicopter at the Cedar City Airport this morning,” SUU public relations director Brooke Heath said in a brief written statement. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority, and we are working closely with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to investigate the incident,” Heath’s statement concluded. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident. Federal investigators are expected to examine operational records, maintenance history, weather conditions, pilot training procedures, and wreckage evidence to determine the cause of the crash. Southern Utah University operates one of the largest collegiate helicopter training fleets in the United States through its aviation division based in Cedar City. The university’s rotorcraft training program uses helicopters for commercial pilot, instructor, mountain flying, and emergency procedure training. Cedar City Regional Airport, located about two miles northwest of Cedar City, is a major hub for flight training activity in southern Utah and hosts both fixed-wing and rotorcraft operations. As of now, officials have not released additional details regarding the sequence of events leading to the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Helicopter Crash

SUU Flight Training Helicopter Crash In Utah Injures Instructor And Student Pilot

Aviation Today News Desk / May 27, 2026

Cedar City, United States: A training helicopter operated by the aviation program of Southern Utah University crashed at Cedar City

Helicopter Crash

Airborne Aviation Helicopter Crashes Off Nā Pali Coast; Three Killed And Two Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / March 27, 2026

Kalalau Beach, United States: A sightseeing helicopter carrying five people crashed into waters off Kalalau Beach along the remote Nā

France

Macron Unveils ‘France Libre’ New Next-Gen Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Plan For France

Aviation Today News Desk / March 27, 2026

Paris, France: French President Emmanuel Macron has officially named France’s next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier “France Libre”, marking a significant step

Helicopter Crash

Two UAE Armed Forces Personnel Killed In Helicopter Crash Due To Technical Malfunction

Aviation Today News Desk / March 12, 2026

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Two members of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces were killed on Monday, March

Helicopter Crash

5 Onboard Killed In Medical Evacuation Helicopter Crash At Al-Sarra Air Base In Libya

Aviation Today News Desk / February 10, 2026

Tripoli, Libya: Five people lost their lives when a helicopter crashed near Al-Sarra Air Base, close to Kufra in southeastern

Helicopter Crash

Utah Helicopter Crash Leaves One Critically Injured, Three Others Escape Serious Harm

Aviation Today News Desk / January 22, 2026

Utah, United States: A helicopter crash in a remote section of Wasatch County, Utah, critically injured one passenger and prompted

São Paulo, Brazil: On 10 November, 2025 Eve Air Mobility and Revo have announced the first real-world operational deployment of Eve’s Vector Urban Air Traffic Management (UATM) software during the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of urban air mobility infrastructure. The deployment will take place at Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos), where Revo will use Vector to manage high-volume helicopter operations during the Formula 1 race weekend. The software will support real-time coordination of aircraft movements, ground operations and vertiport activity in one of the most demanding urban aviation environments in Brazil. Vector’s Vertiport and Ground Operations module will be used for the live operation. The module enables scheduling, traffic optimization, aircraft sequencing and digital coordination between air and ground teams. According to Eve Air Mobility, this marks the first time the software will operate outside a test or simulated environment. Eve stated that the deployment represents a critical step in validating Vector’s readiness for large-scale commercial use. The company also confirmed that a Fleet Operations module, designed to support both helicopters and future eVTOL aircraft, is scheduled for release in 2026. The deployment builds on the long-term partnership between Eve and Revo. In June 2025, Revo signed a framework agreement with Eve covering up to 50 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, positioning São Paulo as one of the first cities expected to see large-scale commercial eVTOL services. Eve said real-world operations at a high-traffic international sporting event will provide critical data to refine Vector’s performance, scalability and safety features ahead of future urban eVTOL networks.

eVTOL

Eve Air Mobility, Revo Debut Vector Urban Air Traffic System At São Paulo GP

Aviation Today News Desk / December 3, 2025

São Paulo, Brazil: On 10 November, 2025 Eve Air Mobility and Revo have announced the first real-world operational deployment of

helicopter operations

Loose Bolt Left Undetected During Inspection Caused New Zealand Airbus AS350 Crash

SUU Flight Training Helicopter Crash In Utah Injures Instructor And Student Pilot

Airborne Aviation Helicopter Crashes Off Nā Pali Coast; Three Killed And Two Injured

Macron Unveils ‘France Libre’ New Next-Gen Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Plan For France

Two UAE Armed Forces Personnel Killed In Helicopter Crash Due To Technical Malfunction

5 Onboard Killed In Medical Evacuation Helicopter Crash At Al-Sarra Air Base In Libya

Utah Helicopter Crash Leaves One Critically Injured, Three Others Escape Serious Harm

Eve Air Mobility, Revo Debut Vector Urban Air Traffic System At São Paulo GP

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