Department for Transport News

03 Feb 2022

AAIB Report: G-MPSB, Heavy landing during simulated single engine training, North Weald Airfield, Essex

AAIB Report: G-MPSB, Heavy landing during simulated single engine training, North Weald Airfield, Essex: G-MPSB Fig 12 cropped

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has published a report into an investigation into a serious incident involving an MBB-BK 117 helicopter which occurred on 12th March 2021 at North Weald Airfield, Essex.

This serious incident occurred during the demonstration of an engine failure after takeoff emergency procedure on a revalidation flight for the commander’s type rating instructor qualification.

The engine failure was simulated by the commander reducing Engine No 1’s throttle to idle. Shortly afterwards the commander increased the throttle setting, but Engine No 1 did not respond. During attempts to resolve the problem, the throttle setting for Engine No 2 was inadvertently reduced, resulting in insufficient power being available for continued safe flight. The commander rejected the takeoff and executed a firm landing within the airfield boundary.

The subsequent engineering investigation did not find any evidence of malfunction in the engine control systems. Engine No 1 probably did not respond because the rotor rpm droop compensation had been inadvertently trimmed in the wrong direction.

This incident reinforces the benefit of using flight simulators wherever possible to de-risk training, thus avoiding the requirement for live emergency training in the helicopter.

Safety action has been taken by the helicopter operator as a result of this investigation.

Contact Information

Anna Withrington
Head of External Communications Air, Marine and Rail Accident Investigation Branches
Accident Investigation Branches (AIBs)
01932 440015
Anna.Withrington@dft.gov.uk

Notes to editors

  • The Report will be published on the AAIB website at around 10:00. A copy for media is available for download below.
  • Images should be credited to AAIB unless a third party is stated.