This seems to happen every once in a while just in Canada. Not sure if it is due to poor design making it easier to happen than it should be or otherwise......
C-GFQP, a Bell 212 helicopter operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited, was slinging a diesel
electric generator at a radar site located 43 nm SSW of Igloolik (CYGT), NU with only the pilot on
board. While manoeuvering at approximately 1700 feet, the pilot unintentionally activated the load
release switch and the load dropped. The pilot was able to maintain control of the helicopter and
then landed safely. There were no injuries and the helicopter did not sustain any damage.
Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
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Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
Last edited by pelmet on Wed Aug 02, 2023 7:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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mmm..bacon
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Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load
and the helicopter did not sustain any damage.
Too bad the same can't be said of the generator! I wonder how deep the hole in the tundra is?Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two!
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
From the TSB.....
The Synergy Aviation Ltd Robinson R44II, C-FZQX, was departing Villeneuve Airport (CZVL), AB
on a flight to Swan Hills (CEM5), AB with an apparatus containing a gas leak detector and a
thermal camera attached to the cargo hook. The helicopter was cleared to the north, transiting over
Taxiway Bravo, when a noise was heard from the rear seat area. Shortly thereafter Villeneuve
Tower called to inform the crew that something had fallen from the aircraft, and it was laying on
Taxiway Bravo. The flight crew requested a return and landed midfield to investigate. It was
determined that the detection unit had fallen from the aircraft. Both flight crew confirmed that the
manual release had not been activated during the departure. There was no damage to the
helicopter or the detection assembly.
Maintenance update: Upon further investigation it was determined that the cargo was not faulty;
however, it was found that the manual release handle was not in the fully down position and may
have allowed the hook to open due to vibration.
The Synergy Aviation Ltd Robinson R44II, C-FZQX, was departing Villeneuve Airport (CZVL), AB
on a flight to Swan Hills (CEM5), AB with an apparatus containing a gas leak detector and a
thermal camera attached to the cargo hook. The helicopter was cleared to the north, transiting over
Taxiway Bravo, when a noise was heard from the rear seat area. Shortly thereafter Villeneuve
Tower called to inform the crew that something had fallen from the aircraft, and it was laying on
Taxiway Bravo. The flight crew requested a return and landed midfield to investigate. It was
determined that the detection unit had fallen from the aircraft. Both flight crew confirmed that the
manual release had not been activated during the departure. There was no damage to the
helicopter or the detection assembly.
Maintenance update: Upon further investigation it was determined that the cargo was not faulty;
however, it was found that the manual release handle was not in the fully down position and may
have allowed the hook to open due to vibration.
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
From TSB....
C-GAQT, a Bell 407 aircraft operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited, was conducting external
load operations at Hope Bay (CHB3), NU. Two external water bladders were slung through the
eyelets of the bladders and hooked up to the cable connected to the helicopter. Shortly after
departing, one of the bladders ripped through the eyelets and fell to the ground. There was no
injury, and no damage to the aircraft or to the environment.
C-GAQT, a Bell 407 aircraft operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited, was conducting external
load operations at Hope Bay (CHB3), NU. Two external water bladders were slung through the
eyelets of the bladders and hooked up to the cable connected to the helicopter. Shortly after
departing, one of the bladders ripped through the eyelets and fell to the ground. There was no
injury, and no damage to the aircraft or to the environment.
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
From TSB via Google Translate...
C-GCWW, an Aerospatiale AS 350 B-2 operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited was conducting a flight
transport of cargo under long sling according to visual flight rules from the airport of
Sept-Îles (CYZV), QC to an outfitter located approximately 28nm north of CYZV. At
moment to lift the load, for an unknown reason, the hook of the sling located under
the device opened and the sling fell to the ground near the hook. The cause of the opening
is the subject of an investigation by the operator. There were no injuries.
C-GCWW, an Aerospatiale AS 350 B-2 operated by Canadian Helicopters Limited was conducting a flight
transport of cargo under long sling according to visual flight rules from the airport of
Sept-Îles (CYZV), QC to an outfitter located approximately 28nm north of CYZV. At
moment to lift the load, for an unknown reason, the hook of the sling located under
the device opened and the sling fell to the ground near the hook. The cause of the opening
is the subject of an investigation by the operator. There were no injuries.
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
From TSB....
C-FGAV, a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Custom Helicopters Ltd, was conducting an external
load flight from a camp located approximately 20nm northeast of Rankin Inlet (CYRT), NU. The
external load (a tent floor) was lifted and when the helicopter was at approximately 200 feet AGL
and at an airspeed of 10-20 knots, the external load was flying erratically. The pilot intentionally
released the long line and the load fell to the ground in an open area away from the ground crew.
The pilot then landed the helicopter and shut down without further incident.
The operator inspected the long line and cargo hook, and no anomalies or damage were noted.
C-FGAV, a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Custom Helicopters Ltd, was conducting an external
load flight from a camp located approximately 20nm northeast of Rankin Inlet (CYRT), NU. The
external load (a tent floor) was lifted and when the helicopter was at approximately 200 feet AGL
and at an airspeed of 10-20 knots, the external load was flying erratically. The pilot intentionally
released the long line and the load fell to the ground in an open area away from the ground crew.
The pilot then landed the helicopter and shut down without further incident.
The operator inspected the long line and cargo hook, and no anomalies or damage were noted.
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
C-FVHW, a Valley Helicopters Ltd. Bell 206L-4 (LongRanger IV) helicopter, was conducting
longline operations under visual flight rules 12 nautical miles east-northeast of Hope Airport
(CYHE), BC, with one pilot on board. At 1000 PDT, while operating at 400 feet above ground level,
the pilot inadvertently pushed the longline cargo release button. The slung load of trees was
released from the longline. The released external load landed in a heavily forested area. There
were no reported injuries. There was no damage to the aircraft or to property.
longline operations under visual flight rules 12 nautical miles east-northeast of Hope Airport
(CYHE), BC, with one pilot on board. At 1000 PDT, while operating at 400 feet above ground level,
the pilot inadvertently pushed the longline cargo release button. The slung load of trees was
released from the longline. The released external load landed in a heavily forested area. There
were no reported injuries. There was no damage to the aircraft or to property.
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
Happens all the time. What we really need to know is how close was the nearest school bus full of elementary students.
Date Entered: 2023-10-19
Narrative: Nanaimo Airport Security reported a member of the public phoned to report they had seen a helicopter lose a load of metal sheets into the ocean just north of Thetis Island. A Kestrel Helicopters Aerospatiale AS 350 B-2 (C-GKHX) confirmed it was them and they were looking into what had happened. Coast Guard advised the flight service station (FSS) no pollution report required.
Date Entered: 2023-10-19
Narrative: Nanaimo Airport Security reported a member of the public phoned to report they had seen a helicopter lose a load of metal sheets into the ocean just north of Thetis Island. A Kestrel Helicopters Aerospatiale AS 350 B-2 (C-GKHX) confirmed it was them and they were looking into what had happened. Coast Guard advised the flight service station (FSS) no pollution report required.
Re: Helicopter Accidentally Drops Load Thread
Aerial work, you can't fly over built up areas or people. This mitigates risk to the public. Some aircraft have a terrible set up IMO for emergency release buttons location. The biggest failing i've seen is how companies treat lifting gear, everything below the belly hook is not certified. Remote hooks get treated like shit and rarely if ever get maintenance unless it fails, same with Long Lines, no tracking of use or inspections records. Pilot field serviceable is considered acceptable for some reason. Some companies try, but when it comes ops gear very little is actually maintained that well. Compared to how cranes are maintained, heli companies fall way short.
