Chopper Down

[Skidz]

I may be a low timer, but I never heard of LTE resulting in a loud "BANG". If it was windy, could have been FOD flying around the pier that connected with the tr. So many possibilities. I guess we'll have to wait for the final report...

 

They're still saying the helicopter "flipped 360 degrees". Could this be a case of dynamic rollover ?

[justfly]

I may be a low timer, but I never heard of LTE resulting in a loud "BANG". If it was windy, could have been FOD flying around the pier that connected with the tr. So many possibilities. I guess we'll have to wait for the final report...

 

They're still saying the helicopter "flipped 360 degrees". Could this be a case of dynamic rollover ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't recover from the LTE and it will result in a loud "BANG"!

 

Could have been... (fill in any suitable wild *** conjecture here until the FACTS are known)

 

No thoughts on the other 206L loss of control accident?

[twinstar_ca]

another one went in today... haven't identified the type yet, but they keep talking about 8 pob, all survive.. 4 in hosp, 4 recieved tx at the scene...

 

cnn reports 2 drivers...

 

and even myles o'brien, cnn anchor and f/w driver has a lot to learn about the fling wing world...

[Elvis]

This one?

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/17/...ain702792.shtml

[twinstar_ca]

yep, that's the one... they were still speculating about everything while i was watching cnn...

[Elvis]

The video in this link says it was a S76

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8260046/

[justfly]

That's fantastic that we're talking all survivors from both incidents, but oh man! - this is not going to be good for the helicopter biz in the U.S., especially in New York

 

can't wait to see the knee-jerk reactions and restrictions that come out of this, no matter what the causes are eventually found out to be :down:

 

edit: one of the newspapers already had this poll on their website :down:

 

Helicopter crash poll

 

After today's corporate helicopter and Tuesday's tourist helicopter crashes into the East River, would you feel safe taking a helicopter ride?

Yes

No

Don't Know

 

and in the NY Times: ...inevitable questions yesterday about whether helicopters are a safe enough way to move tourists and business travelers around one of the most densely packed places on the planet...

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA Registry

N-Number Inquiry Results

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

N317MY is Assigned

 

Assigned/Registered Aircraft

 

Aircraft Description

 

Serial Number 760460 Type Registration Corporation

Manufacturer Name SIKORSKY Certificate Issue Date 02/23/2004

Model S-76C Status Valid

Type Aircraft Rotorcraft Type Engine Turbo-Shaft

Pending Number Change None Dealer No

Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 50660774

MFR Year 1996 Fractional Owner NO

 

Registered Owner

 

Name CORPORATE AVIATION LLC

Street 142 OLD CHURCHMANS RD

City WILMINGTON State DELAWARE Zip Code 19702

County NEW CASTLE

Country UNITED STATES

 

Airworthiness

 

Engine Manufacturer TURBOMECA Classification Standard

Engine Model ARRIEL 1SER Category Transport

 

A/W Date 10/10/1996

[justfly]

hmmm... reports say, and video shows, the wind and currents were pushing boats and survivors NORTH, the same direction as departure.

 

"Witnesses said the helicopter was flying low - 10 to 30 feet above the water - and never gained altitude."

 

"Witnesses said it rose 15 to 20 feet, with the pilot struggling to keep it airborne, as it dipped, rose a bit, then crashed near East 38th Street."

 

methinks they will be taking a pretty close look at wind direction, especially with a previous fatal from the same heliport from a downwind takeoff

 

NTSB Identification: NYC90FA067. <--- link

The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 42804.

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation

Accident occurred Saturday, February 10, 1990 in NEW YORK CITY, NY

Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/23/1992

Aircraft: BELL 206L, registration: N16664

Injuries: 1 Fatal, 4 Uninjured.

THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE HELIPAD AND MADE A LEFT PEDAL TURN. THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE WIND AND THOUGHT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST, MEANING HE COULD BE TAKING OFF IN A CROSSWIND, WHEN IT FACT HE TOOK OFF IN A TAIL WIND CONDITION. AS THE HELICOPTER REACHED THE END OF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM AND WAS FLYING SLOW OVER WATER THE HELICOPTER SETTLED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT AND THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO THE RIVER.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

 

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE WIND RESULTING IN A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY THE LOSS OF LIFT WHEN THE HELICOPTER FLEW OFF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM, PRIOR TO REACHING EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER SETTLING INTO THE WATER.

[transquebecniece]

The passengers were several MBNA (one of the world's largest credit lenders) execs. One of the two pilots is listed in critical condition this a.m. They're saying the heli appeared to take off "normally," made it barely one city block to the north, then tumbled tail first into the drink...sunk and was recovered by crane.

[transquebecniece]

An AP story from late last night:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...5083994,00.html