A teaching moment, hopefully!

[bbcoach24]

On 6/10/2023 at 11:43 PM, gwk said:

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. Drift Boss

 

 

Stop, assess, plan, proceed.