Coast Guard Helicopter Crash

[rumrunner]

BELLA BELLA, B.C. (CP) - A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter crashed off the coastal B.C. community of Bella Bella on Saturday.

 

A Coast Guard news release said the experienced pilot is in stable condition in hospital after being rescued from the water by a member of the public.

 

The incident happened while the helicopter was slinging materials from the Canadian Coast Guard ship Bartlett to the Driad Point light station 500 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, said Coast Guard Pacific assistant commissioner Terry Tebb.

 

The pilot was returning to the ship from the light station when the rigging used to transfer goods became entangled in the tail rotor, Tebb said.

 

"He apparently tried an auto reverse manoeuvre to untangle but it didn't work," Tebb said. "Once the tail rotor ceases to function, your control goes."

 

The pilot was recovered almost immediately by the water by the member of the public and taken by a Coast Guard fast response craft to the Bella Bella medical facility.

 

He was later airlifted to Victoria by air ambulance where he remains under observation in intensive care, Tebb said.

 

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, Tebb said.

[Guest graunch1]

BELLA BELLA, B.C. (CP) - A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter crashed off the coastal B.C. community of Bella Bella on Saturday.

 

A Coast Guard news release said the experienced pilot is in stable condition in hospital after being rescued from the water by a member of the public.

 

The incident happened while the helicopter was slinging materials from the Canadian Coast Guard ship Bartlett to the Driad Point light station 500 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, said Coast Guard Pacific assistant commissioner Terry Tebb.

 

The pilot was returning to the ship from the light station when the rigging used to transfer goods became entangled in the tail rotor, Tebb said.

 

"He apparently tried an auto reverse manoeuvre to untangle but it didn't work," Tebb said. "Once the tail rotor ceases to function, your control goes."

The pilot was recovered almost immediately by the water by the member of the public and taken by a Coast Guard fast response craft to the Bella Bella medical facility.

 

He was later airlifted to Victoria by air ambulance where he remains under observation in intensive care, Tebb said.

 

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, Tebb said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I hope the pilot recovers ok as the water around BB is pretty cold and the article did not say anything about any impact injuries.

 

What a piece of crap writing. Either the CG person has their head you-know-where or the reporter has.

 

Auto-Reverse????

It just goes to show that most of the general public have no clue about helicopters

[Helilog56]

"He apparently tried an auto reverse manoeuvre to untangle but it didn't work," Tebb said. "Once the tail rotor ceases to function, your control goes."

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

HUH!....I guess his point was that the pilot had to execute an autorotation after losing t/r authority? Glad to see the pilot is okay, but dismayed by the fact that they overlooked one of the basic fundamentals.....check the "length" of your slinging gear.... :down:

[RDM]

Just got off the phone with a few of the lads whom I use to work with in the CCG and thankfully it appears as if the pilot will be OK in a short time. Just a little H2O in the compressor section

 

Now, lets not all turn into TSB inspectors.............remember shitttt happens!

 

I see Twitch wondering around here maybe he will be able to give some insight in the next few days.

[RDM]

I see he is typing....

[RDM]

Jeeze yer a slow typer.... :up:

[twitch]

Hi RDM. Good point don't jump to conclusions. Very experienced pilot, very compitent too. Just goes to show how fast it can happen. The aircraft is on the bottom so it might be a while before it sees the light of day again.

 

Don't blame Terry too much he is not a helicopter guy but it may have been better to let a helicopter person do the explaining.

 

Here is hoping for a speedy recovery.

 

twitch

[twitch]

Easy now its morning out here and the old fingers don't work as well any more!!

[twitch]

Oh ya by the way it was not the length of the line that was the problem it seems.

[RDM]

Hey dude, sorry for ragging ya, but I see that you used two or three large words, had to get the dictonary didn't you.

 

you staying outa trouble. Looking for some drivers here, you going to apply or wha?