MPT Helicopter down Mackay QLD

[Hippolite]

News of an MPT helicopter down off Mackay

News reports 95 miles. waiting for news of flight crew and ships crew.

[MPT]

Two survive north Qld helicopter crash

Two people have been rescued after a helicopter ditched into the ocean off Mackay in north Queensland.
They ejected to safety before the helicopter ditched into the sea earlier this afternoon.
Authorities picked up a mayday signal this afternoon, sparking an air-and-sea search about 100 kilometres offshore.
The two were winched to safety from a life raft before being taken to Hamilton Island for medical treatment.
It is believed they are suffering only minor injuries and that the helicopter may have had engine problems.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1950431.htm

G'day All,

B206 with an ejection seat, what'll they think of next??
Good to see both are ok.

Cheers,
MPT

[gulliBell]

How is it that a B206 is allowed to operate so far out to sea? 100km out over water in a S/E aircraft seems unusual, perhaps someone in the know can elaborate on this aspect. Is this day only ops?

p.s. obviously pleased to read that the crew was rescued.

[Unhinged]

Don't see the problem really. We all choose the level of risk we're comfortable with.

CAO 95.7.3 Specifically addresses Night MPT

CAO 20.11 sets out general requirements for flight overwater, and 20.18 the requirements for instruments.

[Chamonix]

Any more details on this ditching? Early repots seem a bit sketchy. Hope all are ok.

[fixa24]

Both the pilot and ship pilot are ok, released from hospital today. Both apparently walked into the hospital unaided.

Chopper reportedly had "engine problems" and ditched floats out. Was seen upside down when crew rescued.

The MK- Blossom Banks run is nearly always done in single engine heli's, and it is a loooooong way offshore.