What happened
On April 15, 2017, at approximately 19:40 UTC, a Sikorsky S-92A, registration PR-CHR, was performing an offshore passenger transport flight in the Campos Basin. The aircraft, operated by Brazilian Helicopters Services Táxi Aéreo S.A., was on its final approach to the Sevan Brasil (SS-8CT) maritime unit when the tail rotor struck a radar antenna located on a tower near the landing area.
The impact caused severe vibrations throughout the airframe and resulted in the breakage of the horizontal stabilizer. Following the collision, the crew performed an abrupt landing near the touchdown zone. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotors, landing gear, transmission boxes, and engines, all 21 occupants—including three crew members and 18 passengers—emerged uninjured.
The investigation
CENIPA investigators examined the flight profiles, crew coordination, and the physical infrastructure of the landing site. The investigation focused on the approach path used by the crew, specifically noting that the pilot flying (PF), who was a pilot in command under supervision (PICUS), did not utilize the aircraft's nose as a proper reference point against the landing area's markings.
Investigators also reviewed the cockpit environment, finding that the crew engaged in informal conversation during the critical phase of flight. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the visibility of obstacles, noting that the antenna structure lacked the required orange and black diagonal warning stripes, and nearby antennas were not marked with orange spheres as prescribed by maritime regulations (NORMAM 27).
Findings
- Improper approach profile: The crew failed to maintain an adequate approach path, leading to a trajectory that did not follow the prescribed obstacle clearance pattern.
- Inadequate decision-making: The crew chose to land from the side of the seat occupied by the PICUS, despite the wind direction favoring a landing from the side of the PIC.
- Crew Resource Management (CRM) failures: Ineffective cockpit coordination and team dynamics were identified. The PIC exhibited an ironic and challenging attitude toward the PICUS, which hindered effective communication and task management.
- Distraction: Informal, non-operational conversations during the critical landing phase likely reduced the crew's situational awareness and attention to obstacles.
- Inadequate obstacle marking: The radar antenna structure was not painted with the required high-visibility markings, and nearby antennas lacked necessary orange spherical markers.
- Motivation: The desire of the PICUS to complete a high-quality flight for training purposes influenced the choice of an inappropriate approach profile.
Safety action
CENIPA issued several recommendations to improve offshore safety:
- To ANAC: Coordinate with the Brazilian Navy's Directorate of Ports and Coasts to integrate Safety Management Systems (SMS) requirements for helideck operators into maritime regulations.
- To the Directorate of Ports and Coasts (DPC): Update NORMAM 27 to standardize the provision of meteorological bulletins (including wind relative to the helideck heading) and to implement a standardized Helideck Information Plate (HLL) containing essential offshore operational data.