Fri, Sep 30, 2011
Utility Company Did Not Report Two Rotor Strikes By Work
Crews
San Diego Gas & Electric is spending $2 billion to build an
electrical transmission line between San Diego and Imperial
Counties in California and the state of Arizona. It's called the
Sunrise Powerlink, and the project involves lots of work for
helicopter crews. But a few days after a newspaper revealed two
helicopter incidents which were not reported to the California
Public Utilities Commission, the agency has halted the project
until pilots receive safety reviews.
The Associated Press notes the story ran in the San Diego
Union Tribune, which reported that helicopters hit a boulder
in one incident, and a fencepost in another, in both cases with
their tail rotors. Section 830 of the Federal Aviation Regulations
state that damage to rotors alone does not rise to the definition
of an accident for reporting purposes, and San Diego Gas &
Electric is reported to have told the Union Tribune it wasn't clear
it had to report it to the state, either.
But the Public Utilities Commission says a report should have
been made, and notes that there have been other accidents involving
dropped loads due to improper rigging, including three in a recent
two-week period. Commission Director Julie Fitch told SDG&E,
"The pattern of Sunrise Project helicopter incidents is
troubling...and is of serious concern due to the safety risks such
incidents impose on the residents...and project personnel."
AP reports the commission has ordered the helicopter work
stopped until the pilots get safety reviews. The utility says it
will comply, and continue with other parts of the job not involving
helicopters.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]