S92, manoeuvring, near Shipston-on-Stour UK, 2019

S92, manoeuvring, near Shipston-on-Stour UK, 2019

Summary

On 14 October 2019, a Sikorsky S92A manoeuvring below low cloud in poor daylight visibility in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the intended private landing site flew north towards rising ground approximately ¾ mile east of it, coming within a recorded 28 feet above terrain near to occupied houses before making an emergency climb and over-torqing the engines followed by an unstable but successful second approach. The Investigation found relevant operator procedures absent or ineffective, an intention by the management pilot in command to reach the landing site despite conditions and uncertainty about the applicable regulatory context for the flight. 

Description

On 14 October 2019, the crew of a Sikorsky S92A (G-LAWX) being operated by Starspeed on a private commercial passenger flight from Birmingham to a private landing site near Shipston-on-Stour were attempting to locate their intended destination in marginal day VMC when they became uncertain of their position and descended to within 28 feet agl of rising terrain close to a house before the engines were significantly over-torqued when making an unstable emergency climb into IMC. A second approach at night was initially unstable but then unexpectedly successful. The helicopter was deemed in need of maintenance inspections and was subsequently ferried to London Stansted where it was eventually found that no damage had been caused during the unsuccessful first approach.

Investigation

A particularly comprehensive Field Investigation was carried by the UK AAIB. Relevant information was downloaded from the CVFDR and the EGPWS. 

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