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Final report on B-HJV Aerospatiale SA 315B LAMA helicopter accident published
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     The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (March 14) published the final report of the investigation into the accident involving an Aerospatiale SA 315B LAMA helicopter (registration mark B-HJV) operated by Heliservices (Hong Kong) Limited in Kau Lung Hang Lo Wai, Fanling, on January 3, 2011.

     The accident occurred when the helicopter was conducting an underslung operation on the hillside of Kau Lung Hang Lo Wai, Fanling, along the Fanling-Ting Kok Road No. 1 132 Kilovolts Overhead Line Circuit (FNL-TKR No. 1 Circuit). When the helicopter was at the final stage of setting down a load at a drop-off site located downhill of Pole 9 of the FNL-TKR No. 1 Circuit, a flashover occurred between the helicopter longline and a live overhead line of the circuit. The fire generated from the flashover and the burning fragments of the longline scattered over the accident site. Patches of fire on the accident site were later extinguished by the ground workers. Two ground workers suffered burn injuries.

     "After the accident, the Chief Inspector of Accidents ordered an inspector's investigation in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Chapter 448B). The objective of the investigation was to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to the preservation of life and the avoidance of accidents in the future," a CAD spokesperson said.

     The investigation was conducted by a team of trained accident investigators in strict adherence with the international standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The investigation report contains an analysis of the circumstances of the accident, and reveals that as the helicopter flew and hovered close to the overhead lines, the helicopter longline had come close enough to a live overhead line and an earthed object to cause a fault current to flow from the overhead line to the earthed object, triggering a flashover. The flashover lasted for a number of milliseconds and resulted in a fire and a loud bang, causing damage and injuries.

     In the investigation period, the investigation team had published a safety recommendation in March 2011 that the use of any underslung cable assemblies by Heliservices on Aerospatiale SA 315B LAMA helicopter, which consists of electric conducting material in the vicinity of overhead high voltage electric lines, should be suspended until completion of the investigation or a further recommendation is issued.

     Noting the safety actions taken by various parties after the accident, the investigation team has made one additional safety recommendation which will supersede the earlier recommendation issued in March 2011. The recommendation specifies that prior to operating in the vicinity of overhead electricity lines, helicopter operators should conduct a detailed and comprehensive risk assessment in conjunction with the electricity supplier and relevant parties involved.

     "The parties concerned have taken note of the recommendation. The CAD will continue to follow the matters up after the release of this report," the spokesperson said.

     Throughout the accident investigation, all parties concerned were given ample opportunities to comment on the report.

     The report is available for downloading from the CAD's website (www.cad.gov.hk/english/reports.html).

Ends/Friday, March 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:26

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