Breaking the Accident Chain

IHST Safety WorkshopMarch 4, 2013

Agenda• Breaking the Accident Chain Overview

– FAA Case Scenario • HTAWS Truths and Myths• HTAWS – What you need to know• Mandate Update

Breaking the Accident Chain

NTSB Accident Number: NYC05MA039

Breaking the Accident ChainMission: HEMS repositioning flightDeparture point: Washington Hospital Center Helipad (DC08) – Washington DCDestination: Stafford Regional Airport (RMN)Stafford, VAFlight distance: 38 NM

Breaking the Accident ChainWeather at the accident site (DCA Automated Weather Observation): Winds calm, Visibility 10NM, Broken clouds at 13,000’ and 20,000’, Temperature 45° F, Dew point 36° F, Altimeter 30.25**************************************************Moon Illumination: None

Pilot Information: Commercial Pilot – ASEL, AMEL, Rotorcraft Helicopter, Instrument HelicopterMedical: Current, Second ClassPilot Experience: 1500 hours total time 42 hours in the last 90 days12 hours in the last 30 days1 hour in the last 24 hours71 night landings total

Breaking the Accident Chain

Breaking the Accident ChainAircraft: Eurocopter EC-135 P2AFTT: 166.6 HoursMaintained IAW FAA approved aircraft inspection program.This aircraft was being flown with a properly deferred inoperative radar altimeter.

Breaking the Accident ChainDeparted DC08 @ 2304Followed Helicopter Route 1 along the Anacostia River to Helicopter Route 4 and then flew south along the Potomac River.

Breaking the Accident Chain

“Washington tower traffic on a ten mile final is an Airbus”

POINT A

Breaking the Accident Chain

HTAWS with Traffic Display

Breaking the Accident Chain

“Roger, we have him in sight and will be out of his way”

POINT B

Breaking the Accident Chain

FATAL DESCENT

POINT C

Breaking the Accident Chain

IMPACT

POINT D

Breaking the Accident ChainBenefits of HTAWS

Increase Situational Awareness by:• Provides a display showing surrounding

terrain, airports.• Provides a display of obstacles (not all

HTAWS display transmission lines).• Provides a display of nearby traffic.• Provides altitude awareness through the use

of altitude callouts and GPWS alerts.

Summary:The best trained pilot can’t see everything. HTAWS contributes to situational awareness by helping the pilot to avoid dangers he may not see when he looks outside.

Breaking the Accident Chain

Issues and Options• Issues

– Nuisance Alerts – Pilots turn the system off

– Certification – what is required?

– Installation– Safety vs. Budget– Liability in waiting

to comply

Options– Wire Database– 3 arc data vs. 6

arc data– Radar Altimeter – Traffic Display– Display options– NVIS

Certified HTAWS Options

What to ask before you purchase

• What companies/OEM are using the manufacture’s HTAWS and what have been the results?

• How does the HTAWS system qualify for certification, technically?

• What is the cost of waiting to install– Liability– Availability and time limits– Certification headache – waste time and money

FAA Mandate UpdateMilestone Originally

ScheduledDate

New Projected

Date

ActualDate

To OST 1/04/2012  4/03/2012  4/03/2012 

To OMB 2/06/2012  12/14/2012   

OMB Clearance

5/03/2012  3/15/2013   

Publication Date

5/21/2012  3/29/2013   

A special thanks to our sponsors!

Afternoon Break