Vanuatu Crash August 2011

[gasgen]

I heard the Suday Telegraph in Sydney is running a story today regarding a helicopter crash in Vanuatu on friday. Released deceased pilots name as PC. Cannot confirm. Limited internet in Jungle.

Anyone heard anything on this?

[gasgen]

Just confirmed from newspaper.....# 7 friend/colleague this year :confused:

Condolences to all.

RIP Shags

[Coota]

Cotter was a true gem of a man.

From the field:-

500D went down due to engine failure, Bung (as expected) did an excellent job putting the machine down. All passengers escaped without injury but one blade came into the cabin which killed our mate.

Such a shame. May he rest in piece in the "big blue hangar".

[RVDT]

28 Aug 2011 The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) -

A VETERAN Australian helicopter pilot has been killed in an accident on Malekula Island, Vanuatu.
Phil Cotter, 62, a former NSW resident who is understood to have been living in Vanuatu for 26 years, was piloting a Hughes 500D helicopter on Friday when it crashed while on its way to the island’s coast. Mr Cotter died in the crash but his two passengers survived— one walking away from the wreckage and the other sustaining injuries described as ‘‘ not serious’’.
A Civil Aviation Authority Vanuatu probe is under way.

[Epiphany]

Gasgen - PC makes 7 for me this year too. Gave me lots of advice when I started in PNG. RIP mate.

[gasgen]

Epiphany - Prob the same 7. All experienced guys, a couple of them 10,000hr + / 35 years +. Proves the fact that when mistakes are made in our game (by pilots, engineers or atc), the end results do not discriminate between the newby or the old hand.

[inmate]

Like most who knew him I was just "Shag" to him for many years but later he warmed as only Phil could do.
Rest in peace my friend, you helped many yet asked for nothing in return except prehapes a "stubby" and a chat at the Goroka Aero club.

[helihub]

There are mixed reports of the two passengers, evidently local telecom engineers and helicopter operating in mountainous terrain

The local Vanuatu Daily Post (http://www.dailypost.vu/content/helicopter-crashes-s-malekula-killing-pilot-0) says two pax serious injuries to hospital, and then to (evidently bigger) hospital in the capital, Vila. That does not sound like "escaped without injury", Coota, don't you think?

[celco]

Bugger! RIP Shags..

[Makiwa]

Jeepers, I was shocked when I heard this news...

That's just too bad!

As many know, Phil was both a pilot and an engineer, and he was better at either than some are at being just one of them...

I haven't seen Phil for a long while now, but still have some great stories and memories of the short time I spent in his company.

"Morning, Phil."

"Is it?"

[inmate]

I posted Phils passing on another site and one reply I recieved I felt was worth posting here.

Hi I am Phil's sister and am hoping you can help me with dates when he was in PNG I am 10 years younger and am trying to get everything together to document his life. As you would know if you know Shags he does not give out lots of of info. My email address is [email protected]. Any info and pics would be fantastic.

Some of you knew Phil long before myself and may well be able to add to his sisters request.

Regards. Mike

[peter manktelow]

Knew Phil when he was "spanners" on a Helitrans 206 on Manus Island in PNG in 1974.

Sad , sad news.

[Coota]

Helihub,

More rumors but from a reliable source.

From the field - One passenger sustained serious injuries, the other walked away with very minor injuries.

On initial inspection of the wreckage, cargo net was found in the MR hub. Engine failure is unconfirmed.

Damn shame, Shags was one of the best.

[Coota]

Phillip (Shags) Andrew Cotter
Born in NSW, Australia on 1 November 1948
Passed away in Malekula Island, Vanuatu on 26 August 2011
Aged 62 Years
Son of Daphne Cotter and Robert Vincent Cotter (deceased), brother of Martin, Ann (deceased), Robyn, Geoffrey, Lynette & Jeniffer

- Service Details
Family & Friends are invited to attend the
Celebration of Phil's life to be held at
Kelvin Grove Chapel
270 Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane
on Wednesday 7 September 2011 at 1:30pm

Memorial Service
Port Vila, Vanuatu
at the Anchor on Saturday 17 September 2011at TBA
to pay respects to Shags

Please visit the online memorial and leave a tribute.

Phillip (Shags) Andrew Cotter (1948 - 2011) - Funeral and Death Notice, Malekula Island, Vanuatu (http://www.heavenaddress.com/funeral-notice/Phillip-(Shags)-Andrew-Cotter/395983/obituary.aspx)

[Coota]

c8s8-NZePSA

[Coota]

geoffmackley's Channel - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/geoffmackley)

[Helicopter doctor]

Sad to hear of Phil's passing. Met him in Freeport's operation, Papua, years ago, them more recently in Sid's bar, Balikpapan, Indonesia.
As mentioned earlier, some good guys lost this year.
Be careful out there.

[helihub]

ATSB are taking over investigation

Investigation: AO-2011-108 - Collision with terrain - Hughes 369D helicopter, YJ-HEL, Maleluka Island, Vanuatu, 26 August 2011 (http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2011/aair/ao-2011-108.aspx)

[siera tango]

Inevitable unfortunately, dodgy operation, love ya work shags, go well.

[5Blades]

I had absolutely no problem with them at all, great set up

[brewster372]

I knew Phil for 20 years. Had recently spent some time with him in Bangkok at his favorite haunt (Soi Cowboy). A few weeks before the accident I offered him a job as a ground engineer supervising some new bees. His answer: "Sorry shags, I got a flying job". My reply: "Send me some pics". His answer: "When I'm done with this job Shags, I'll come and see ya". Maybe the best helo driver I ever knew and certainly the best guy I ever knew. I will miss him dearly and already do. If you would like a last pic of his last job for all of you who knew him, email me at [email protected]

[shadyderic]

Bumped into RoyC and Keg last week in Ingham, they told me about welcomeback. Bad news A. Take it easy Phil. See Ya.
Shady, Helitrans, Rex Budd, Heli Res, Heli Aust, Bristows.