Emergency exit handle covers
The Department of Transport sponsor modifications to the existing design of the emergency exit handle access system on Bell models 204, 205, 212, and 214 helicopters that are currently equipped with emergency exit handle covers, to ensure that the emergency exit handles can consistently and easily be accessed.
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Air transportation safety investigation report
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| Date the recommendation was issued |
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| Date of the latest response |
October 2011
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| Date of the latest assessment |
October 2010
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| Rating of the latest response |
Fully Satisfactory
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| File status |
Closed
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All responses are those of the stakeholders to the TSB in written communications and are reproduced in full. The TSB corrects typographical errors in the material it reproduces without indication but uses brackets [ ] to show other changes or to show that part of the response was omitted because it was not pertinent.
Summary of the occurrence
The Bell 212 helicopter was operating in support of heli-skiing activities in the Cariboo Mountain (Thunder River) area of British Columbia. The pilot landed at 7075 feet above sea level on a glacial ski run to pick up skiers for transport to the top of the glacier. The passengers boarded the helicopter, and an into-wind take-off over rising ground was initiated. The pilot began a slow, low-level, downwind turn to the right, away from the high terrain immediately ahead. Following the turn, the pilot realized that the main rotor rpm was decaying, and he decided to attempt a landing back onto the glacier. On touchdown, the skids dug into the snow, causing the helicopter to nose over and roll onto its left side. An intense fire erupted immediately following impact. Three of the 13 passengers were unable to escape the burning aircraft and were fatally injured.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada determined that the pilot conducted an upslope take-off manoeuvre that was beyond the performance capability of the helicopter. Contributing to the severity of this accident were the rapid onset of post-impact fire and the difficulties the passengers experienced in reaching the emergency exits.
The Board authorized the release of report A90P0121 on 04 May 1993.
Rationale for the recommendation
Board Recommendation A91-08 (04 May 1993)
To ensure that the emergency exit handles in Bell wide-body helicopters can be easily accessed in the future, the TSB recommended that:
The Department of Transport sponsor modifications to the existing design of the emergency exit handle access system on Bell Airls 204, 205, 212, and 214 helicopters that are currently equipped with emergency exit handle covers, to ensure that the emergency exit handles can consistently and easily be accessed.
Transportation Safety Recommendation A91-08
Previous responses and assessments
July 1991: Transport Canada's Response to A91-08
Transport Canada agrees with this recommendation and is researching its implementation. A proposal to redesign the access to and conspicuousness of the emergency handle will be addressed in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
June 2004: Development of Board Assessment of TC Responses to A91-08
Transport Canada agreed with this recommendation. Methods of enhancing access to, and the conspicuousness of the emergency handle will be coordinated with the FAA.
Such action, if implemented would fully address the safety deficiency this recommendation sought to address. The action proposed by TC goes beyond the action recommended by improving the conspicuity of the emergency exit handle. In supplemental Airworthiness Directive (AD) No.CF-91-27, dated 1 August, 1991 Transport Canada required Canadian operators of Bell Airls 204B, 205A1, and 212 helicopters to ensure that the emergency D‑handle is painted red, on a white background. Further, the AD directed operators to ensure that the background is marked with a red arrow and "OPEN" decals.
The colouring and decals to which the AD makes reference ensure that changes recommended by Bell Helicopters in an Alert Service Bulletin issued in 1975 are still effective. The requirements of the subject AD do not address the safety deficiency identified in this recommendation, although these may be interim measures. The staff believes that the TC response to this recommendation is satisfactory for now.
The last recorded reassessment of Transport Canada's response to A91-08 dated 09 June 2004 stated the following:
Using current assessment criteria, proposed action would be assessed as "SI" vice "FS". Although, FAA took no immediate action, TC took unilateral action and issued Airworthiness Directive CF-96-06, March 5, 1996, to enlarge finger hold. As TC action did not address all aspects of deficiency (e.g. accessibility) it is assessed as SP.
Consequently, the assessment was rated as Satisfactory in Part and assigned an Inactive status.
Latest response and assessment
October 2010: Board Review of A91-08 Deficiency File Status
The Board requested that all inactive aviation recommendations with an assigned rating other than Fully Satisfactory be reviewed to determine if their Deficiency File Status was appropriate. After an initial evaluation, it was decided that several such recommendations required that a deficiency analysis update be conducted to confirm if the associated risks remained substantial.
October 2011: A91-08 Deficiency Analysis Update
A review of the TSB occurrence reports issued since this recommendation was assigned an Inactive Deficiency File Status reveals no finding related to the deficiency identified in Recommendation A91-08. During the same time period, TSB did not publish any Aviation Safety Advisories or Aviation Safety Information related to the issue of emergency exit handles in Bell wide-body helicopters. Likewise, a search of the TSB recommendations database yielded no recommendations associated with the deficiency described in Recommendation A91‑08.
There are a significant number of Bell wide-bodied helicopter in the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register many of which are engaged in passenger carrying operations. Given the lack of occurrences involving the issue of Bell wide-bodied emergency exit handles since the issuance of Recommendation A91-08 it is concluded that the risk has been mitigated and that the deficiency associated with the Recommendation has been substantially reduced.
Therefore, the reassessment is changed to Fully Satisfactory.
File status
The TSB will monitor TC’s progress on its planned actions.
This deficiency file is Closed.