A teaching moment, hopefully!

[gwk]

Taken from another Heli Forum, hopefully this can be used during recurrent training as a teaching moment in the future.

 Glad all were safe, and returned home hopefully a little wiser.

Fly safe.

In the days leading up to the day of the occurrence, the pilot of C-FKMX, an Aerospatiale AS350B3 had been conducting long line forest fire fighting operations in support of Wildfire 017 located
approximately 6 nm NW of Valleyview, Alberta (CEL5) in co-ordination with C-FCCK, a Bell
Helicopters model 412 operated by Summit Helicopters Ltd.

On the day of the occurrence, at approximately 1234 MDT, C-FKMX had been dispatched to conduct long line bucketing operationsin continued support of Wildfire 017 on the east side of Sturgeon Lake, Alberta (Sandy Bay). C-FCCK, had also been dispatched to conduct bucketing operations in support of Wildfire 017 approximately 3.5 nm SE of C-FKMX's location. In addition, C-FALI, a Bell Helicopters model 212 operated by Alpine Helicopters, was called in to assist C-FCCK in working the eastern flank of the fire line.

After approximately 8-9 buckets drops in the Sandy Bay area, C-FKMX was repurposed to join C-FCCK, and C-FALI in firefighting operations on the eastern edge of the fire. Enroute to the new location, C-FKMX refilled the bucket and proceeded southeast to engage in operations.

As C-FKMX approached the new area of operations; the flight crew of the three helicopters engaged in firefighting operations were all communicating on the same frequency. As C-FKMX approached the
drop area from the northwest, visual contact was made with C-FALI, while communicating on the radio and broadcasting current position and intentions and trying to visually acquire the location of C-FCCK. C-FCCK responded to the radio call, but portions of the radio calls between the two pilots were not clearly understood. The pilot of C-FKMX believed that C-FCCK was clear of the immediate area, and the pilot of C-FCCK was not aware that C-FKMX was immediately joining the firefighting efforts at their location.

The pilots of both C-FKMX and C-FCCK both unknowingly observed the same hotspot in the area and had elected to drop their water on it at almost the same time. Due to the pilots' seating position in each helicopter (right seat in C-FKMX, and left seat in C-FCCK) and the relative relationship of the two helicopters to each other in flight, the pilots of both helicopters did not visually acquire the other.

In the process of lining up to deploy the water on thelocation, C-FCCK which was slightly below C-FKMX, made contact with, and severed the long line of C-FKMX approximately 28 feet below the helicopter's fuselage. The majority of the longline and bucket assembly impacted terrain in a non-populated area and both helicopters continued to fly. Departing the immediate area, the pilot of C-FKMX initiated a crab to keep the remaining portion of the severed long line from entangling the tail rotor and found a clearing to land in to complete a
preliminary inspection of the helicopter. No damage was found, and the remaining portion of the long line was removed and placed in the cabin. C-FKMX repositioned to CEL5 to refuel and then return to the Valleyview firebase.

The pilot of C-FCCK was unaware that his main rotor system had severed the longline of C-FKMX believing that C-FKMX had severed its own longline. C-FCCK continued to work the fire until notified by Alberta Forestry that the helicopter had been involved in an occurrence, at which time the helicopter returned to the Valleyview firebase for an inspection by company maintenance. No damage was found, and the helicopter was returned to service.

A subsequent investigation by Alberta Forestry resulted in an amendment to the circuit joining
procedures for aircraft joining a previously established firefighting circuit, and clarification of procedures for aircraft moving work areas.

 

 

[bs205]

Holy ####

[OTR]

Not the first time I have heard of this happening - a number of years ago on another fire in Canada and a second overseas on a seismic job.

Interestingly enough there was little or no damage to the M/R system of either of the aircraft making contact with the long line.

Assuming the 412 was not damaged as apparently he was not aware of the contact.

Glad everyone OK, except for maybe some "poopie pants", way to close for comfort.

😵

[Planker]

Sheesh, glad everyone involved is okay and there was no serious damage to the aircraft involved. 

 

We tend to hear what we expect to hear on the radio and it's shockingly easy to misinterpret, no fault to anyone involved but a fascinating case of error management. 

[twinstar_ca]

It's a great topic, GWK... Another one on the "other" forum is the tourist putting her hand on the rotor brake of the H130... As we so often say, learn from the mistakes of the others... not enough time to make them all yourself.... methinks another quick point during your briefing... 🤪😲

[Longline]

It is simple:  Do not procede until you have reached radio contact!    Stop, assess, plan, proceed.

[GrayHorizons]

that would be an interesting view looking down and seeing a different rotor disk cut your long line.....

 

[Pool pilot]

Wow!!!

What is suprising to me is the 412 driver didn't know there was a problem. 

The report leads us to believe the 412 driver was looking down. So my question would be why the 412 driver didn't wonder where the bucket that is now falling on to hot spot come from.

I can not imagine what it would feel like to be looking down through the floor of the Astar and see a rotor system go past that close me.

 

 

[eirajeremy]

On 6/11/2023 at 6:30 AM, OTR said:

Not the first time I have heard of this happening - a number of years ago on another fire in Canada and a second overseas on a seismic job.

Interestingly enough there was little and my location or no damage to the M/R system of either of the aircraft making contact with the long line.

Assuming the 412 was not damaged as apparently he was not aware of the contact.

Glad everyone OK, except for maybe some "poopie pants", way to close for comfort.

😵

 

 

 

Misunderstanding each other's messages led to an unintended collision between two helicopters.

[NellyAurora]

On 6/11/2023 at 4:02 PM, Planker said:

Sheesh, glad everyone involved is okay and there was no serious damage to the aircraft involved. 

 

We tend to hear what we expect to hear on the radio and it's shockingly easy heardle 80s to misinterpret, no fault to anyone involved but a fascinating case of error management. 

Looking down through the Astar's floor and seeing a rotor system pass by that closely is an experience I cannot grasp.