Rotor Torque

Osborne was extracted from the wreckage by emergency services and transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a serious condition.

“The accident seems to have occurred as the aircraft has approached the vicinity of the aerodrome, and come in for a landing-type manoeuvre,” the ATSB’s Transport Safety Investigator David Grambauer told a media briefing on November 9. “They have lost control of the aircraft, and it has impacted the Terrain.”

Grambauer said a preliminary factual report is expected to be released in December.

Corbin was 57 and leaves behind wife Allana and daughters Isabella, Indiana and Sophia.

Australian Aviation wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Roger Corbin and to the team at Rotorlift.

QGAir orders new AW139s

The Queensland government has ordered two new Leonardo AW139 helicopters for aeromedical retrieval, SAR and policing operations with Queensland Government Air (QGAir).

The new AW139s are part of a $47 million purchase of aerial assets for north Queensland announced on October 22 and will replace two older Bell 412s. Both new helicopters will be based in Townsville.

The government has also ordered a new Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, to be based in Cairns from March 2018, for policing Operations.

“The two new AW139 helicopters replace two ageing Bell helicopters which are more than 20-years-old,” said Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan.

“They will have the ability to work with police and all emergency services, including aerial surveillance, search and rescue, and hospital patient transfers [and are] able to travel further and faster, providing more coverage for more Queenslanders.”

Both helicopters are expected to enter service by December 2018, joining three AW139s already in service with QGAir.

QGAir operates five helicopters and seven fixed-wing aircraft from bases located in Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Mt Isa and Horn Island.

AHIA appoints Paul Tyrrell as CEO

The board of the Australian Helicopter Industry Association has appointed Paul Tyrrell as its inaugural chief executive.

Tyrrell, a former Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) chief executive, brings a wealth of in-depth aviation knowledge and management experience to the new role, including an extensive familiarity with government procedures and Protocols.

“We welcome Paul to the AHIA and look forward to the continued growth of our Association for the benefit of the Australian Helicopter Industry,” said AHIA president Peter Crook.

“Living and working in Canberra for many years, Paul will be the initial point of contact for concerns from the helicopter sector.” Tyrrell took up the position on November 13.

Army Tigers to resume flying?

The Australian Army’s fleet of 22 Airbus Helicopters Tiger ARHs could resume flying within weeks according to Chief of Army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell.

Responding to questions from the Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee on October 25, LTGEN Campbell said the Tiger’s “operational pause”, put in place following the fatal crash of a German Army Tiger helicopter in August, should soon be lifted.

“With regard to when [flying will resume], we believe it might be in a matter of weeks,” Chief of Army told the committee. “But I’m awaiting advice from the Forces Commander, Major General McLachlan, on that issue.”

LTGEN Campbell said an Australian Army test pilot was sent to Germany to help with investigations into the accident.

“We have sent a qualified Tiger test pilot to Germany, greatly and very positively received by the Germans, to assist in their work in investigation of the accident,” he said. “We’re liaising very closely with other Tiger user partners as well as the manufacturer on the issue. There are a couple of issues still at play, and the investigation remains open, but we think we’re coming to the end of the pause.”

While the Tiger is not flying, LTGEN Campbell noted aircrews are continuing to train in the Tiger simulators and “also work on some other helicopter types to maintain general aviation skills.”

Rescue 651 crew recognised at SAR Awards

An RAC Rescue helicopter crew has been recognised with a Commendation Award at the National Search and Rescue Council’s annual awards for a 12 hour marathon offshore retrieval mission over remote waters near Esperance, Western Australia.

Crewed by pilot Craig Bowman, aircrewman Garth Fitzgerald and St John Ambulance paramedic Ben Harris, the RAC Rescue Bell 412EP, callsign Rescue 651, was called out on the evening of November 6 2016 to winch a 27-year-old crayfisherman off the vessel Fatal Attraction, which was off the coast near Israelite Bay, 114 nautical miles east of Esperance.

In high winds and with the fishing boat battling a heavy swell, Harris was winched aboard the vessel to splint the injured man’s broken leg. Harris and the crayfisherman were then winched aboard the helicopter before Rescue 651 flew to Esperance. There the patient was transferred to an awaiting Royal Flying Doctor Service PC-12 for onward transfer to Royal Perth Hospital.

Jandakot-based RAC Rescue is operated by CHC Helicopter under contract for Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

ATSB reports on Squirrel engine Failure

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final report into the engine failure and forced landing of AS350 BA Squirrel VH-SFX, which occurred over dense forest in the Whyanbeel Valley, Queensland on November 2 2015.

While conducting a low-altitude aerial weed spotting operation, the helicopter yawed twice in an uncommanded manner. In response, the pilot climbed and increased the helicopter’s forward airspeed and attempted to return to base. However, the engine failed and the pilot conducted an autorotation Landing.

The helicopter landed heavily with the skids digging into the uneven terrain and breaking off, but remained upright. The helicopter was not fitted with energy absorbing front seats which may have reduced the risk of injury to the navigator in the front and the pilot who both received injuries from the impact Forces.

Analysis of the engine identified that the Squirrel lost power to its Arriel 1B engine due to a front bearing failure in the turbine module. The failure was due to an accumulation of coke particles in an oil jet. The ATSB said it was unable to conclude specifically why the coke particles had formed.

The severity of the engine failure was increased through the fracture of the power turbine shaft and the subsequent separation of the turbine disc due to a lack of adhesive on the splined nut that was threaded to the rear of the power turbine shaft.

The engine manufacturer, Safran, has amended its procedures manual to include systematic cleaning of the power turbine front bearing assembly oil jet and oil jet supply pipe. Safran has also initiated a number of training and process changes to ensure the adhesive bonding between the power turbine and the rear nut is maintained during service.

The ATSB said the emergency landing was handled in a competent and proficient manner. The pilot’s pre-departure briefing gave the passengers the necessary knowledge to prepare for the emergency by adopting the brace position and exiting the helicopter only when it was safe to do so. The Bureau also said its investigation highlights the response to an abnormal operation in a timely and proficient manner can minimise the consequences of an accident.

Third H160 joins test program

Airbus Helicopters’ H160 certification test program continues to gather pace after its third prototype, PT3, made its first flight at the company’s Marignane, France headquarters on October 13.

Fitted with a cabin interior configuration similar to a production example, PT3 will contribute to maturing the certification activities and flight testing towards the H160’s planned entry into service in 2019.

Bushfire Black Hawk to return

Scone-based Pay’s Helicopters is again bringing an ex-US Army UH-60A firefighting Black Hawk to Australia this summer after a first successful tour of duty last bushfire Season.

The refurbished Black Hawk, N563DJ, was shipped from Timberline Helicopters’ Sandpoint, Idaho facility in early November. It is expected to arrive in Scone during the first week of December.

The Black Hawk will again be equipped with a 3,410 litre multishot BBX7590 Bambi bucket with a fast-fill pump to help fill it in just over 30 seconds.

Last season, Timberline’s N434TH, callsigned ‘Helitack 260’, became the first civilian-registered Black Hawk to operate in Australia for aerial firefighting operations where it demonstrated its value and capabilities to state and territory fire agencies.

Meanwhile in July, StarFlight Australia, Sikorsky Helitech and Kaan Air Australia signed an agreement to bring an initial 10 ex-US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into Australia to be refurbished for use locally in aerial firefighting, emergency services and disaster relief operations.

‘Charlie’ returns to the Capital

Former Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Service’s Bell 412 Classic VH-NSC has returned to the nation’s capital.

Devoid of its former sponsor titles, rescue hoist and ERA fuel tank, Canberra Helicopters has brought the iconic Bell 412, affectionately known as ‘Charlie’, back to the region re-configured for fire attack and other utility duties.

Sponsored by insurance broker Austbrokers Canberra, Charlie still wears its green, white and blue colours from its SouthCare career but now features a new ‘Fast-Fin’ tail boom, bubble side window and the ability to carry a 1,400lt Simplex Fire Attack belly tank.

“VH-NSC is owned by us and will now remain a permanent resident of the region,” said Canberra Helicopters’ general manager and chief pilot Steve Jones. “The aircraft can be quickly configured for other roles including search and rescue, passenger transport for up to 14 passengers, and sling load operations.”

The helicopter was retired from rescue duties by CHC Helicopter in early April following the end of an 18 year contract with the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Service.

Briefs

»» CASA has issued a new exemption (CASA EX120/17) for pilots applying for a helicopter aerial application endorsement. The exemption reduces the dual flight training in aerial application operations from 15 hours to 10 hours. The exemption also requires pilots gaining the endorsement under the reduced hours to complete an additional 10 hours of direct Supervision.

»» Long-term Bell Helicopter partner Subaru Corporation (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries) has signed a contract for 150 Bell 412EPIs for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) as the service’s new utility transport helicopter. The 412EPI will replace the JGSDF’s existing UH-1J fleet. The contract also includes an agreement to build a further 150 examples of the type for export.

»» The Western Australia government has announced it will provide future funding for Bunbury-based RAC Rescue helicopter service. The government has allocated over $27 million for the south-west service which first flew on February 1 2016.