Mary F. Silitch

Aerospatiale SA 319B, Escalante, Utah, Dec. 14, 2005–The NTSB said the probable cause of the SA 319 accident was the pilot’s inadequate remedial action when the helicopter entered ground resonance. The rough/uneven terrain and inadequate company maintenance were contributing factors.
The pilot of the 30-year-old helicopter touched down on a sloping rock outcrop and the aircraft began to oscillate. He said he pulled up on the collective, and then the helicopter “suddenly self-destructed.” One rotor blade hit the cabin and injured a passenger.
Investigators identified a number of maintenance discrepancies, including improper tire inflations, improper main landing gear hydraulic shock strut pressures and differential functioning of the main rotor blade drag dampers.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Final Report: Helicopter encountered ground resonance

Aerospatiale SA 319B, Escalante, Utah, Dec.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

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Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

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Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair 

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Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

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News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

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Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

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Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair

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Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

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Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

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Helicopter experienced a vertical hop for which the pilot didn’t know the recovery procedure

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