The operator did not have adequate systems available for the pilot to determine the actual all-up weight and balance of the helicopter for the firefighting operation, or to ensure that incidents such as the previous loss of a window were recorded, notified to the CAA and investigated. The use of a prohibited door configuration suggested inadequate awareness of and adherence to flight manual limitations, which often differ between otherwise similar variants of an aircraft.
On 23 May 2018 the Commission recommended that the chief executive of Way To Go Heliservices review the company’s internal quality assurance system to ensure that:
- there are robust systems in place for establishing the actual weight and balance of all company aircraft for all operations
- incidents and accidents are recorded, notified to the CAA and investigated, and corrective actions are taken as appropriate
- pilots are fully aware of and observe the operating limitations of all the aircraft types and variants that they fly.