Tasman

[Skidz]

I remember in one of the books (can't remember which one, there were so many) that I read while doing ground school. The author spoke of this "Swiss cheese" theory.

 

The basic premise is that, in the whole chain of flying (manufacture, maintenance, flight planning, weather, PDM, customer, etc.), any number of errors or problems can emerge. In this theory, each of these problems is represented by a hole in a brick of Swiss cheese. Holes can be of different sizes and shapes, according to the gravity of the problem. An accident or catastrophy will occur when enough holes line up so that a hole appears right through the brick.

 

I found this to be a very simple yet effective visual explanation. What it gets at is that there are many factors that go into a flight. The chain can tolerate a certain level of human error or mechanical failure without an accident actually occuring, but if the right number of these "holes" in the chain occur simultaneously, then sh*t happens...

[204B Driver]

As an OLD Heli-Ski Pilot I know what it is like to turn down wind and sink. I agree with Heli Gypsy and 407 Driver. So you that haven't had this happen keep your air speed up, and fly safe and glad all are okay.

[Over-Talk]

Skidz, the Swiss Cheese theory was written by James Reason in 1990.

It is considered to be one of the best theories on the complicated web of human factors that lead to accidents in aviation, as well as other transportation modes, and also medical fields etc. etc., i.e. anywhere humans can make an error.

 

There is lots of information on the web about it.

This link is to some Colorado fire-fighting group.

http://www.coloradofirecamp.com/swiss-chee...ntroduction.htm

 

Here is a quick diagram....

[helipinch]

Tasman Helicopters accident at whistler, no one hurt, only scratches and bruises. In a cirque, down flowing air, full load at altitude, tumbled end over end, a miracle no one was hurt! This was a Bell 212.

[RDM]

ouch.........

 

glad to hear all OK.

 

Have never done the ski thing, but certainly respect all you nuts who do.

[helipinch]

Opp's screwd up the attachments.

[helipinch]

Opp's screwd up the attachments.

[helipinch]

Opp's screwd up the attachments.

[Skidz]

When did this happen ? When you say it tumbled end over end, do you mean on ground contact or before ?

[helipinch]

Don't know any details, I just got info & Pic's via E-mail.

Lets try this attachment thing one more time!