PHI Incorporated

Operated by PHI, Inc. (per NTSB report)

An in-flight separation of the tip block from the tail rotor blade due to an inadequate blade repair, which resulted in a rotor imbalance sufficient to crack the gearbox attachment studs and gearbox support assembly, and inadequate postrepair test procedures, which failed to detect the inadequate adhesive bonding.

Operated by PHI INC. (per NTSB report)

The pilot's failure to remove a main rotor blade tiedown, which resulted in substantial damage to a main rotor blade when the engine was started.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The fatigue fracture of the tail rotor gearbox attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a subsequent hard landing.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance while taxiing.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tower guy wire during the approach to a helipad at night.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The failure of the compressor section No. 2 bearing due to false brinnelling and fatigue.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The pilot’s operation of the helicopter with a left, quartering headwind, resulting in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The loss of engine power due to an engine compressor stall as a result of ingesting methane gas during takeoff.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

A suspected failure of the tail rotor for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the failure of the emergency floats to properly inflate due to improper installment and inspection by maintenance personnel.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

The pilot's misjudged landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the brownout condition created by the dust cloud that interfered with the pilot's perception of proximity to the ground, and the glare interference from the parked fire vehicles headlights with the pilot's night vision goggles.

Operated by PHI INC (per NTSB report)

(1) the sudden loss of power to both engines that resulted from impact with a bird (red-tailed hawk), which fractured the windshield and interfered with engine fuel controls, and (2) the subsequent disorientation of the flight crewmembers, which left them unable to recover from the loss of power. Contributing to the accident were (1) the lack of Federal Aviation Administration regulations and guidance, at the time the helicopter was certificated, requiring helicopter windshields to be resistant to bird strikes; (2) the lack of protections that would prevent the T handles from inadvertently dislodging out of their detents; and (3) the lack of a master warning light and audible system to alert the flight crew of a low-rotor-speed condition.

Operated by PHI Incorporated (per NTSB report)

The pilot's spatial disorientation resulting in his failure to detect and compensate for an unintentional descent during a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate choice of landing approach, reduced visibility from brownout conditions, and the dark night.

Sanction: $17,000 · case closed 2018-07-09