Hughes 269 down near Leipzig (May 28th)

[Spunk]

On may 28th, a Hughes 269C crashed near Leipzig. All 3 on board (pilot (28), photographer and camera man were seriously injured). According to eye-witnesses the helicopter was operating at low altitude (50 to 100 m), filming the opening ceremony of the new “Autobahn A38” when it started to spin prior crashing.

http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/ddpnews2/20060529/10/3088046496.jpg

Winds were reported as “strong and gusty” (anybody with some numbers?)

[Whirlygig]

That's a bit spooky as it was 28th May 2005, that a Hughes 269C was written off at Norwich Airport due to a very, very heavy landing in gusty wind conditions.

I hope the occupants make a speedy recovery from their injuries.

Cheers

Whirls

[rotornut]

Tail rotor failure?

[BigMike]

3 people + camera equipment, on-board a 300 doing film work?

[HillerBee]

Sounds like Loss of Tailrotor Authority.

[mickjoebill]

We dont know why this 269 crashed.

Best angle for lighting, best angle on the subject, combined with aircraft having to be orientated so camera side is presented to the subject often conflicts with safest direction of flight in respect to wind direction.

Most accidents involving film crews occur when the cameraman is shooting from side door, rather than using a remote controlled camera on the nose.

If the job involves one location pilots should try and get a handle on the likely camera angles of the subject and where the heli is likely to be postioned to get them, then dictate which door should be used so they can fly as much as possible into wind.

No choice of left or right hand shooting of course in a 269.


Also having done a few shoots with stills photographers are on board the extra demands on all occupants needs carefull mangement especially if the subject is an event where timing of the picture is critical.


Mickjoebill

[topendtorque]

The single serviceable component that can be gauranteed to create unserviceability of the helicopter at low level is--- CAMERA----.

All's needed is Lights -- no-one at home -- and action, following a shot -- too late -- downwind -- splat.

[Hughes500]

Very easy to overpitch and get into vortex ring in a strong wind day low level filming.
Here is a scenario
Pilot tries to maintain 30 kt groundspeed round the subject as requested by cameraman. In say 25 kts of wind as pilot turns down wind he has to haul back on cylic to maintain 30 kts groundspeed. Airspeed now drops to 5 to 10 kts. Lots of power required now ( espically if 3 up ) to maintain a virtual hover. Result overpitchs blades and loss of rotor rpm or in hauling back cylic pilot has allowed a rate of descent, easy not to notice as he hauls power in. There you have the 3 elemnts of vortex ring !