Helicopter crashes near Uluru

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Thunderbird_1
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Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Thunderbird_1 » Wed Jan 17 2018, 10:43

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-17/h ... rd/9337446

Thankfully it looks like all four people on board survived.
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Helicopter crashes near Uluru (PHS)

Postby Watchdog » Wed Jan 17 2018, 22:03

Update from ABC suggest PHS -Professional Helicopter Services aircraft, with pilot having the most injuries.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-18/u ... al/9338342

Wish all a full and speedy recovery.

WD
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby skypig » Thu Jan 18 2018, 04:57

Potentially 4 lives saved by the requirement for bladder tanks.


"Police, fire and medical personal swiftly attended the scene with the assistance of a second chopper in the area."

Superintendent Nobbs said two of the occupants on board were trapped in the aircraft when Yulara police arrived on the scene.

"On police arrival, we located two persons who had already self-extricated from the chopper," he said.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby heli1 » Sat Jan 20 2018, 23:49

Has anyone got any updates on the pilot
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Watchdog » Tue Jan 23 2018, 07:23

Capt Pingpong
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Capt Pingpong » Wed Jan 24 2018, 00:27

They look to be jumping on the band wagon that the R44 is an unsafe helicopter now by introducing their "turbine only service" for all flights in the NT. Little bit disappointing to see after operating pistons for so long and I dare say, still will be operating pistons in a training and tourism environment for many years to come.

Other operators wouldn't like the context of the post, especially after PHS having an R44 accident within the last week or so. It implies that pistons are unsafe by advertising their "turbine only service". Robinsons have already got a tarnished reputation without having to do more harm.

Others may say it's a smart marketing tactic! Which it may well be.
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Hello Pilots
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Hello Pilots » Wed Jan 24 2018, 03:15

Or, others may just be saying that they are only using turbine powered helicopters now :shock:
godfather007
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby godfather007 » Wed Jan 24 2018, 03:32

Interesting photo angle of a YL from out side the machine..
Is that a selfie stick Patruding through a window from inside, or am I wrong?
There is always an option.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Fill-level » Wed Jan 24 2018, 03:45

That photo was taken before selfie sticks were invented
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Capt Hollywood
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Capt Hollywood » Wed Jan 24 2018, 04:21

That photo was taken before selfie sticks were invented


Indeed it was, I took the pic through the rear window as the aircraft had those bubble windows all round.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby County » Wed Jan 24 2018, 04:59

What a s#!t statement saying R44’s are unsafe to fly. Low houred pilots get a start flying R44’s because the insurance companies deems them safe. Be just a smoke screen for another problem I reckon.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby zzodr » Wed Jan 24 2018, 06:57

Not uncommon for a company to temporarily ground it's fleet of same type when there has been an incident until the cause is known.

I don't think PHS are trying to suggest R44's are unsafe, they have flown them for a long time.

From the writeup, it had a EFATO with 3 passengers on board, the pilot got it down ok, but unfortunately it rolled over on a sand dune.
Damn good job by the pilot I'd say, could have easily been so much worse. Hope everyone gets better soon and the pilot is back in the saddle flying R44s again.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Mallard » Wed Jan 24 2018, 10:03

I must admit when I saw the headline I immediately thought over pitching with 4 up and how hot its been the last few weeks... if it was an EFATO what a nightmare! With that result then extremely well done.

Either way wishing everyone a speedy recovery.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby godfather007 » Wed Jan 24 2018, 11:29

Not a selfie stick shot as stated.
Thanks for the clarification.
My bad OLD judgement strikes again, Sorry. )c/
The YL must be an OL by now then.
There is always an option.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby flyhuey » Thu Jan 25 2018, 04:37

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/in ... -2018-006/

If ATSB doesn't know for a fact and has not completed its thorough investigation, how would anyone know 100% it was "EFATO". facebrag?

Probably not a good idea for the pilot or anyone speculating/discussing, until ATSB has done their job and issued a report, which will include an interview of the pilot, passengers, and any witnesses.

And, the pilot should not be discussing it with anyone except his Chief Pilot, maybe an Aviation Lawyer, and ATSB. That would be the professional way to handle it.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby zzodr » Thu Jan 25 2018, 07:00

PHS released a statement saying it was a loss of power after takeoff.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby flyhuey » Thu Jan 25 2018, 07:20

zzodr wrote:
PHS released a statement saying it was a loss of power after takeoff.

Unless it is a shattered mess, doesn't ATSB usually do an engine teardown, inspect all parts to find the causal failed component, reassemble, and run it, before making that determination?

Do you think ATSB would delegate that part of the investigation to an AOC Holder or someone with a pecuniary or conflicted interest?

They might as well write the Final Report for the ATSB and save the taxpayer money.

Wouldn't other R44 operators like to know the real cause and what caused the engine failure, as it may influence the way they operate their R44 aircraft?

What makes an engine run . . . Air, Fuel, Ignition, and all engine components remaining intact and functioning as designed. Oh, throw lubrication in the mix, for the rotating components.

This is as much as ATSB knows, so far, for a fact:

Forced landing involving Robinson R44, VH-HGX, 5 km S Ayers Rock Airport, Northern Territory, on 17 January 2018
Investigation number: AO-2018-006 Investigation status: Active
The ATSB is investigating a forced landing involving a Robinson R44 helicopter, registered VH-HGX, 5 km S Ayers Rock Airport, Northern Territory, on 17 January 2018.

During climb, the pilot received a low rotor speed warning, entered an autorotation and conducted a forced landing on a sand dune. The helicopter subsequently rolled, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and one passenger. Two passengers sustained minor injuries.

As part of the investigation the ATSB will interview the pilot and gather additional information.

A report will be released within several months.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby Mag seal » Thu Jan 25 2018, 07:44

zzodr wrote:PHS released a statement saying it was a loss of power after takeoff.



The symptoms of overpitching could be described as a "loss of power" by a pilot.

It would go something like BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP, Decaying RRPM, High ROD, CRASH!

Then after you pull yourself from the wreck and are asked what happened you say "I lost power"

Let's wait for the ATSB if they actually look at it.
Last edited by Mag seal on Thu Jan 25 2018, 08:40, edited 1 time in total.
County
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby County » Thu Jan 25 2018, 08:29

Interesting the pilots comment was only he experienced a low rotor rpm warning.... did he experience roughy running or a very quiet engine or just the horn blaring at him.
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Re: Helicopter crashes near Uluru

Postby havick » Sun Jan 28 2018, 01:44

How’s the pilot doing, any word on recovery?
"You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel."

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