Helicopter down at Cessnock?

[trashie]

Any news on a helicopter accident at Cessnock. Does not sound good from initial news reports.

[Dogimed]

2 Dead 1 Critical (http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/two-dead-in-nsw-helicopter-crash/story-e6frfku0-1226000146444)

[Jenna Talia]

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Civil Aviation Authority have been notified about the crash while an officer from the NSW Police Aviation Investigation Branch is also en route to the scene.

WTF is this?

[ReverseFlight]

Another press report with a photo:Two dead as chopper explodes (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/two-dead-as-chopper-explodes-20110204-1ag4j.html)
The debris area appears to be quite contained but the damage substantial. A tail rotor blade is seen on the ground at the opposite end of the wreckage from the tail fin. Maybe an auto practice gone wrong ?

RIP.

[das Uber Soldat]

Why did they photoshop a police officer into that photo? :ugh:

[VH-XXX]

That is just the effect of the telephoto lens as they wouldn't let the media past the fence.

[sms777]

Actually he is the officer from the NSW Police Aviation Investigation Branch...:hmm:

[Lookleft]

The NSW Police Airwing is trying to develop expertise in accident investigation as they have to attend accidents that the ATSB doesn't such as sport aviation. The ATSB still has the primary role. Nothing sinister about it.

[Trojan1981]

Yeah, it is a good idea for investigation of non-commercial aviation accidents. At a warbird accident a couple of years ago the investigation was handed to the local police. The officer responsible was heard to mutter "what the f@$& do I know about aeroplanes?" :cool:
They have had this responsibility summed on them, so it is good to see that they are attempting to develop some level of expertise.

[ciscodiscocisco]

very sad and tragic event for everyone, i just saw it 90 degrees to the left just seconds before it hit in the middle of the runway and then slided on its left side in flames until the intersection taxiway, student pilot was in a bad shape but walked away not very lucky for the other two guys who were in golfed in flames when we got there before the cops......which they took 30mins to get there same as the fires and the ambulance too but manage to get one person out.

[Stikybeke]

Hey Cisco...

"student pilot was in a bad shape but walked away"

"when we got there before the cops"

"which they took 30mins to get there same as the fires and the ambulance too but manage to get one person out."

Just a bit confusing that .....

This must've been a terrible sight but it looks like you (and others) saw it all.

I hope you passed all this good information, as terrible as it is, on to the appropriate people.

Stiky
:ok: