Helicopters and Ice Don’t Mix, Says FAA Bulletin
Following two fatal EMS crashes that possibly were weather-related, the FAA has issued recommendations for turboshaft-powered rotorcraft flying into snowy or icy conditions and urges precautions to prevent icing.
Following two fatal EMS crashes that possibly were weather-related, the FAA has issued recommendations for turboshaft-powered rotorcraft flying into snowy or icy conditions and urges precautions to prevent icing.

Less than two months after two possible weather-related fatal crashes of EMS helicopters in Illinois and Iowa, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SW-08-03R3) covering recommendations for rotorcraft powered by turboshaft engines flying into snowy or icy conditions. The SAIB describes procedures to reduce the probability of an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown due to snow and/or ice ingestion and reminds operators that most helicopters are not approved/equipped for flight-into-icing conditions.

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