Aircraft
SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft
Sub-System | Hazards | Pre-Mitigation | Mitigation | Post-Mitigation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Probability |
Severity |
Risk Level |
Probability |
Severity |
Risk Level |
|||
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation | Lack of Standardization |
Almost Certain |
Critical |
Extremely High |
Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board. |
Unlikely |
Critical |
Medium |
Aircraft perform near limits of capabilities due to mission, payload, and environment |
Possible |
Catastrophic |
Extremely High |
Create national rappel specifications template for Schedule B. Utilize SMEs - Helicopter managers/HOSs/rappel specialists when developing aircraft contract specifications/ modifications. |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
|
Performance Capabilities and Limitations | Operating close to performance limitations of aircraft (weight/balance, DA, height/velocity curve, CG) |
Almost Certain |
Catastrophic |
Extremely High |
Strict compliance with flight manual and increased awareness training of aircraft performance for helicopter managers and proper mission planning. Continue using high performance Type 2 Helicopters and Part 27 Type 3 Helicopters. |
Unlikely |
Critical |
Medium |
Pilot visibility/vertical and horizontal reference |
Possible |
Critical |
High |
Develop National screening/evaluation process, identify minimum standards for visibility in rappel aircraft. |
Unlikely |
Critical |
Medium |
|
Pilot moving from right to left seat to fit mission in Bell medium helicopters |
Possible |
Critical |
High |
Ensure that Schedule B contract language is standardized Nationally for Type 2 Helicopters. |
Unlikely |
Critical |
Medium |
|
Equipment | Rappel anchor failure |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
Spotter anchor failure |
Possible |
Catastrophic |
Extremely High |
Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
|
Aircraft modifications improperly installed/false documentation |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Thorough maintenance inspections, verification of STC documentation and compliance, increased training for helicopter managers. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
|
ICS communications not available to all rappelers |
Possible |
Critical |
High |
National rappel template for Schedule B. |
Rare |
Critical |
Medium |
|
Communication | Spotter cannot independently manipulate FM radios from back seat (pilot task saturation) |
Possible |
Critical |
High |
Audio panel conveniently available for pilot and spotter to individually manipulate. |
Unlikely |
Critical |
Medium |
Configuration | Doors off flight; crash survivability |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Minimize doors off operation to essential missions only. Create doors off checklist for NSHO. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
Doors off flight; non secured items |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Training on proper storage of equipment when flying with doors off. Create doors off checklist for NSHO. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
|
External basket security |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Assure security of external loads prior to mission. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
|
Maintenance | Lack of compliance with ADs, manufacture's inspections |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Strict compliance with flight manual, increased awareness training of maintenance requirements and ADs for helicopter managers, spot inspections of aircraft. Recommend all rappel contract helicopters require a mechanic. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
Aircraft Health | Undetected corrosion, stress crack, structural. Limited, and/or unknown amount of aircraft health testing and monitoring being performed on current aircraft (fatigue, corrosion, airframe, etc.) |
Unlikely |
Catastrophic |
High |
Ensure Maintenance Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of aircraft maintenance logs. |
Rare |
Catastrophic |
Medium |
Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).