FAA SAFO Stresses Hover Checks | Aviation International News

FAA SAFO Stresses Hover Checks

The agency attributes a number of accidents to pilots' failure to follow checklists.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

December 16, 2016

The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) reminding helicopter operators about the importance of using checklists and performing stabilized hover checks before departure (SAFO 16016). The FAA notes that a review of accidents/incidents over the last five years involving helicopter loss of control (LOC) immediately after liftoff while light on the skids/gear suggests issues caused by missed checklist items. "Several recent helicopter accidents have occurred as a result of pilots not bringing the helicopter to a stabilized hover before initiating takeoff. Rather, pilots elected to take off immediately and rapidly from the ground. In some cases this has led to a LOC where the result was either an incident or an accident resulting in significant damage to the helicopter and/or fatalities to those on board," the FAA noted.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Falcon Executive Cleared for Flights at Dubai Helipark

Facility at Al Maktoum International Airport will complement the group’s FBO

Dubai Helipark

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helicopter Sales Activity Up

Pricing on heavy twins reached a five-year high in the first half

Sikorsky S-92 in flight

Louisiana Rotor Pathway Advances Rotorcraft Careers

Program started with Utah and North Dakota

Airbus Helicopters H215 Super Puma helicopter

Nepal Relief Efforts Need More Support and Coordination

Local rotorcraft industry leader urges international partners to get involved in crisis

Nepal army helicopter

Boltoukhine Named Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Frederic Lemos departs after serving as CEO of ACH since 2017

Nicolas Boltoukhine

Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Utility Helicopters

Medium twin-engine rotorcraft will supplement European firefighting operations

Artist's impression of Avincis' McDermott 214ST helicopters

One Bell Kenya Facility Serves Three East Africa Fleets

Facility offers maintenance, avionics, and shipping support

Bell helicopter flying in east Africa

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Heli Everest H125 helicopter