Interagency Aviation Accident Prevention Bulletin 24-04 "Doors off" Helicopter Operations

· DOI Office of Aviation Services · 2024

Public domain · DOI Office of Aviation ServicesAviation Safety Documents

Overview

The Interagency Aviation Accident Prevention Bulletin 24-04 "Doors off" Helicopter Operations () is a public-domain DOI Office of Aviation Services aviation safety document, republished here as a free chaptered HTML edition with a linked table of contents and the official PDF.

Publisher: DOI Office of Aviation Services
Document
Year: 2024
Pages: 2

Key points

Recent events have shown that flying helicopters with the doors off increases risks, particularly during passenger transport missions.
In one incident, an item dislodged and damaged the tail rotor, while in another, a seat cushion was found hanging out of the helicopter.
Before conducting doors off operations, it is essential to evaluate the necessity, risks, and mitigation strategies.
Supplemental personal restraints and securing loose objects in the cabin are critical for safety during doors off operations.
The pilot in command is responsible for ensuring the aircraft is in a condition for safe flight, as per 14 CFR 91.7.

Frequently asked questions

What are the risks of flying with the doors off?

Flying with the doors off can lead to objects departing the cabin area, which may strike the main rotor or tail rotor, potentially resulting in a loss of control.

What should be considered before removing the doors of a helicopter?

Considerations include the necessity of removing the doors, risk/benefit evaluation, mitigation strategies, securing loose objects, and addressing passenger apprehension.

What incidents were highlighted in the bulletin?

One incident involved an item striking the tail rotor, while another involved a seat cushion hanging out of the helicopter, both occurring during passenger transport missions.

What regulations govern the pilot's responsibility for flight safety?

According to 14 CFR 91.7, the pilot in command is responsible for determining whether the aircraft is in a condition for safe flight.

What safety measures should be taken before flying with doors removed?

Safety measures include ensuring supplemental personal restraints are installed, securing all loose equipment, and conducting thorough preflight inspections.

Document

OAS-43A (12/12)

Interagency Aviation

Accident Prevention Bulletin

No. IA APB 24-04 April 23, 2024 Page 1 of 2 Subject : “Doors off” Helicopter Operations Area of Concern: Flight Safety Distribution: All Aviation Operations.

Discussion: Two recent events highlighted the risks associated with conducting flight operations in a helicopter with the doors off (removed). While there are certain missions that may require the doors to be removed [e.g., Aerial Capture Eradication and Tagging of Animals (ACETA), Aerial Ignition, and Single-skid Toe-in and hover Exit/entry Procedures (STEP)], other missions such as passenger/crew transport, generally do not. In one of the events, an item in the back seat dislodged from the interior of the helicopter and struck the tail rotor, causing damage that rendered it inoperable during flight. The pilot was able to successfully execute an emergency autorotation and land the aircraft without any additional damage or injuries. In the other event, a seat back cushion from the back seat became loose and was discovered hanging out of the helicopter when the pilot landed to pick up DOI employees. Fortunately, no damage or injury resulted from the event. Both events involved passenger/crew transport missions.

Before flying in a helicopter with the doors removed, answer the following questions. These questions should also be a part of the project aviation safety plan (PASP) or Mission Aviation Safety Plans (MASP) 1. Is it necessary for the doors to be removed?

2. Have you carefully evaluated the risk/benefit of flying your mission with the doors removed?

3. How can these risks be mitigated?

4. Are supplemental personal restraints installed for use?

5. Has each individual ensured that equipment in pockets is secured and free of loose objects?

6. Is the cabin of the aircraft free of debris and is all loose equipment sufficiently secured?

7. Are there policies & contract language regarding flying with the doors removed?

8. Are there other issues (passenger apprehension, fear, or panic) that need to be taken into consideration?

No. IA APB 24-04 April 23, 2024 Page 2 of 2 REMEMBER: 14 CFR 91.7 states that “the pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight.” A thorough preflight inspection and final walk-around are key to fulfilling this responsibility. Postflight inspection can also help to identify issues prior to the next flight.

Doors off operations can add significant risk to a mission by increasing the opportunity for objects to depart the cabin area during flight. These objects can strike the main rotor or tail rotor resulting in a loss of control and ultimately, a fatal accident.

s/ Keith Raley /s/ Lori Clark Keith Raley Lori Clark Chief, Aviation Safety, Training, Program Branch Chief Evaluation, and Quality Management Aviation Safety Management Systems DOI, Office of Aviation Services USDA, Forest Service