The Heli Surveys Safe Work Method Statements for low-level survey and alpine operations did not identify the operational factors that could affect the control of the helicopter. There was also no requirement for its pilots to conduct a pre-flight risk review for low-level survey operations. Combined, this limited the operator’s ability to manage the possibility of loss of tail rotor effectiveness and ensure that the risks associated with low‑level survey operations were as low as reasonably practicable.
Proactive action undertaken by Heli Surveys was the development of a dedicated risk assessment for low-level operations that included flight hazards that may affect control of the helicopter. Additionally, the operator now requires both pre- and post‑flight risk reviews to be conducted by pilots prior to low-level survey operations. Therefore, the ATSB is satisfied that these actions address the safety issue.
Heli Surveys has updated its Safe Work Method Statements, now referred to as ‘Risk Assessments’, for both low-level operations generally, and for low-level surveys and aerial photography, to include risk associated with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Additionally, it has updated its operations manual to describe the requirement for conducting pre- and post-flight risk reviews for low-level survey operations.
