Wot, no rumour?

[Bertie Thruster]

'FOD' big enough to 'Cat 5' the main blades of a chopper and not even an inkling of a rumour out of the Capital City?

Very glad to hear no injuries, (apart from laundry bill, I suspect!)

[Heliport]

Tell us more :confused:

[dr atkins]

Yeah, I’m surprised it took this long for someone to mention it here. :rolleyes:

Every time I look at the shrapnel that was once a 6’ x 4’ x 1/8” aluminium sign I wonder how on earth the blades stayed in one piece.

For some reason the AAIB team wanted to pay a visit to the scene (despite no injuries) and were in great praise of the helicopters ability to take such a beating with only any real damage limited to the blades. Even after eating the sign which included a 1½ “ galvanised steel L section bar the blades remained straight and true if not a little worse for wear aft of the main spar.

At least they didn’t have to worry about the sign hitting the tail rotor as it doesn’t have one!!!!;)

My hats off to the crew who got her down that last 10 feet and the speedy recovery of the cab by the maintenance crew on a Sunday night.:D


Dr A

[SASless]

Blades, Head, hubs, tranny(s), shafting, fans, structure inspections and replacements for "sudden stoppage"?:uhoh:

[TiPwEiGhT]

Something to do with G-EHMS by chance?

TiP:bored:

[cptjim]

If it is the G-EHMS blade strike of 29th Oct 05, I thought it had been discussed on here? Unless this is another incident?

I hope not, those poor guys don't have much luck !! :sad:

[902Jon]

Yes this was G-EHMS.
No it wasn't the same incident. This was in the last 2 weeks.
No it wasn't a road sign. This was a section of frontage of a tyre fitting garage that had previously been damaged (cause unknown) and had a very basic fix. This blew off with the downdraught when the Explorer was landing and flew through the blades. The site was I am told approximately 4D in size with no way of telling that the sign wasn't very secure. All the other sections were completely solid in their fixings.
No the crew's judgement was not at fault.

[Bearintheair]

Once is bad luck, time after time suggests a rethink might be required !!!!

[whoateallthepies]

Bear me old mate, I think I'm going to have to disagree with you! It's just one of the risks of landing in a congested area. A 4D site is a good size, I think the crew have just been unlucky. Assuming they did a good recce which I'm sure they would have, being HEMS.

The number of congested area landings/takeoffs that they do it would be unusual not to have the odd incident like this. Hitting the stationary roadsign is another matter of course but there but for the grace of God.......

Thank Goodness I'm not doing that stuff any more!
:cool:

[Bertie Thruster]

Seems the tail area was quite badly damaged by the mangled debris, flung from the main rotor. Fortuitous perhaps that this was a Notar ship?

[MB27]

I can't help but notice that G-EHMS has not been over London for some time, presumably still due to the June incident. Does anyone have any further info on when she would likely return?

Many thanks..

[cptjim]

Judging by the time of year it is, I would hazard a guess that she is at PAS for her annual inspection. Last I heard, they were using a dark colour AS355. (See below) :E . If that's the case, she should be back very soon......

Perhaps someone could confirm my suspicions.

http://www.etribes.com/sites/etribes.com/files/images/220836521_3f4236279d_o.jpg

[MB27]

Indeed they are, currently mostly using G-CDLP as pictured. Although a few different helicopters have been used since August. It would seem to not be a short term thing, as the helicopter has been given Ambulance markings, but that's just my thought..

Thanks cptjim..

[cptjim]

Thanks cptjim.. ......:ok:

MB, seems to be the norm to add the Ambulance graphics.

I'm not in the UK at the moment but my sources at LAS have told me it's just an annual, someone please correct me if there is any variation to that.

regards

Jim :}

[cptjim]

Just read the latest issue of Police Aviation News and saw that G-EHMS, London HEMS, is back in the skies over London.

The reason for being away for so long was because it was the first airframe in the UK to have the extended tail boom.

I'm also guessing it had the annual inspection at the same time...it'd make sense.

Check out page 11 of PAN.

http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Acrobat/PANEWSDecember2006.pdf

I'll see if I can get some pics when I'm back in the UK in a few weeks.

Regards

Jim :}

[cptjim]

These are the pictures of the event as it happened, notice the fod in the rotor disc shown in the first picture...
http://www.etribes.com/sites/etribes.com/files/images/G-EHMS%20fod.jpg

Notice the sign that was next to the Open 7 days is missing!
http://www.etribes.com/sites/etribes.com/files/images/G-HEMS%20fod%201.JPG

Left antenna above the engine cowling has been sheared off.
http://www.etribes.com/sites/etribes.com/files/images/G-HEMS%20fod%203.JPG

Waiting to be collected.....you can now see the size of the blue Kwik Fit sign that entered the rotor disc! :eek:
http://www.etribes.com/sites/etribes.com/files/images/G-HEMS%20fod%202.JPG

Kudos to the crew for getting down safe!! :D

Safe landings

Jim :ok:

EDIT: Forgot to add, the event took place on Sunday 4th June 2006.

[MB27]

Just read the latest issue of Police Aviation News and saw that G-EHMS, London HEMS, is back in the skies over London.

The reason for being away for so long was because it was the first airframe in the UK to have the extended tail boom.

Indeed I first spotted EHMS back at the beginning of December. It would be interesting to know if the extended tail boom really is beneficial.

I can't help but feel that the extended length beyond the stabilizers might lead to an increase in tail boom knocks in tight landings. (Not for EHMS but generally for 902 owners)..

A few pics of the extension at www.kertappa.co.uk/hemsmenu.html (http://www.kertappa.co.uk/hemsmenu.html) in Holborn and Oxford Circus, unfortunately no closeups though.

Also the angle of the tailskid is now much greater than before to cover the extra length.

Thanks..

[jivusajob]

Nice Pics


Somebody mentioned 4D ??????????????

2D ????????????????

[cptjim]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-OKvrvksfi0

[cptjim]

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/factor200728.pdf