AW169 Helicopter Crash Investigation Points to Flaws in Part 29 Regulations | Aviation International News

AW169 Crash Investigation Points to Flaws in Part 29 Regs

Duplex bearing failure lead to 2018 AW169 crash

By Mark Huber • Contributor

September 7, 2023

The 2016 Leonardo AW169 had just taken off mid-pitch and was climbing out of Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. As it cleared the roof, it entered an accelerating and uncommanded right yaw. A rear-seat passenger began to panic.

Pilot Eric Swaffer applied full left pedal to no effect, confessing, “I’ve no idea what’s going on.” He then lowered the collective. Seconds later, spinning out of control, the helicopter crashed into the parking lot next door, killing Swaffer and his four passengers. Thanks to Swaffer’s last-second lift of the collective, the initial impact was survivable, but the post-crash fire was not.

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.

Leonardo AW169

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