Wire Strikes - information request

[aclark79]

Question for everyone.

I'm working on a wire strike presentation on behalf of the FAASafety Team (Federal Aviation Administration - FAASTeam - FAASafety.gov (http://www.faasafety.gov/)) When its finished it will be a powerpoint and seminar style presentation designed as a primer for wire strike avoidance, geared at pilots who are not already working in the power line construction/patrol environment.

What I'm searching for is wire strike media (pictures and video), especially ships hitting wires and the aftermath. There is a lack of available photography and video, for obvious reasons.

I understand its not a pleasant subject, it certainly is a relevant on. If anyone has access to photos/video, or can point me in the direction to those do, it would be greatly appreciated. Maybe your companies safety officer or related department has such media. I'm looking for images that strike home the danger of wire strikes. Whether we like it or not, powerfull images can convey meaning much more effectively than statistics.

They have to be images without copyright, or where the holder gives permission to use. Eventually this presentation would be available free of charge to any helicopter pilot or company through the FAASafety team. We don't want to have to pay for permission to use any of the images.

If anyone here has experienced a wire strike, I'd especially like to hear from you.

I'm already working with the NTSB as well as wire strike avoidance system manufactures, very powerful video from the wire strike protection kit systems and what happens to ships that don't have it. This video is great in that it strikes home the danger, its the kind of media I'm looking for.

Please feel free to email me with any questions or contact me via PM and I will send you my cell number.

Thank you in advance.

-Aaron Clark

[Senior Pilot]

Aaron,

Have you looked at Pictures of Helicopter Wire Strikes (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/337530-pictures-helicopter-wire-strikes.html)?

[aclark79]

No, but I'm looking at it now. Thank you.

[rotordude]

Here´s a video of an AH64 Apache hitting a wire. Viewed from two other Apache helicopters in the same group.
Poor quality however since it´s beeing taped directly from someones television screen.

AH64 Apache Helicopter Crash (Wire Strike) - AOL Video (http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ah64-apache-helicopter-crash-wire-strike/1865283649)

rotordude

[2leftskids]

Here is an investigation report with a couple of photos of the actual aircraft. 200404285 (http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2004/AAIR/aair200404285.aspx)

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/2007sprint/EElliotHeliCrashTrundle3010040041.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj77/2007sprint/EElliotHeliCrashTrundle30100400425-.jpg

And here is complete investigation into wire srikes in Australia 1994-2004

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2006/wirestrikes_20050055.aspx

[B Sousa]

One place I would look for info would be the Army Aviation center at Ft Rucker, AL. Lord knows the Army has lost many due to wire strikes. In California I know of at least two Hueys on seperate accidents where folks were lost. Biggest was in San Diego with a load of Law Enforcement into Power lines under NVG.
Sorry I dont know who exactly to refer you too, but its there somewhere.


http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/351578-helicopter-down-wires.html

Guess you saw this also

[aclark79]

Thanks to all who have sent messages so far, please, if anyone else has any information you can provide, don't hesitate to do so.

[R44-pilot]

You have PM mate

[rick1128]

I suggest you talk directly with HAI and the Helicopter Foundation International. Annually they present a course about flying in a wire environment. They should have photos you can use.