Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

In late March the EASA issued a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) aimed at improving certification rules for helicopters operating over water. At issue is the creation of realistic requirements about keeping the aircraft upright and easing passenger egress. Comments are due by June 23, and the agency expects to publish the new regulation in the third quarter.

 


According to the NPA, the existing CS-27 and CS-29 certification specifications contain “inadequacies.” In particular, the document points out, “Most fatalities occurred as a result of drowning because the occupants were unable either to escape rapidly from a capsized and flooded cabin, or to survive in the sea for sufficient time until rescue.”

 


The new ditching certification methodology sets a target probability of capsizing. The manufacturer must select sea conditions, such as a significant wave height of 6 meters (HS6, formerly referred to as SS6), and demonstrate that the helicopter resists capsizing for five minutes. For example, with serviceable floats, the probability must be demonstrated not to exceed 2.9 percent. With capsize mitigation, the required probability climbs to 29 percent.

 


For realism, models must be tested with irregular waves in a water tank. The model test facility must generate “long, non-repeating sequences of unidirectional (long-crested) irregular waves.” Model scale must be no smaller than one-fifteenth. Where it is likely that water would flood into the internal spaces after a ditching, the model should represent these spaces, as well as opened doors and windows.

 


Should the helicopter capsize before the passengers move to the emergency rafts, air should be available in the inverted cabin (the “air pocket” concept). Emergency breathing systems are not considered an alternative because of the variables in how passengers respond to an emergency.

 


Each emergency exit must admit a 19- by 26-inch ellipse. One pair of exits must be provided for every four passengers. The seat-to-exit ratio may be increased for exits large enough for the simultaneous egress of two passengers side by side.

 


Remote controls capable of deploying the life rafts must be located within easy reach of the survivors in the water or in the helicopter. Capsize mitigation is expected to provide the greatest safety improvement, saving an average of 2.3 lives per year.

 


Other proposed safety enhancements include automatic arming, disarming and deployment of the floats. A provision must be made for the rotorcraft to float with the largest flotation unit failed.

 


The jettisoning of fuel is no longer recommended. It would not add to the buoyancy of the helicopter but would likely raise the helicopter’s cg, according to the EASA.

 


&nbsp;
	
&nbsp;
		
&nbsp;
			
&nbsp;

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

EASA Proposes New Helo Ditching Rules

Proposed changes establish a new ditching certification methodology by which a target probability of capsize following a ditching can be determined.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

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.

More In Rotorcraft

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN