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View Full Version : Aircraft ditched off Sydney Northern Beaches this morning?


Rojer Wilco
2nd Sep 2011, 00:50
Anyone know about this? I just noticed it on TV...

Power
2nd Sep 2011, 00:59
Set sydney webtrak to 10:10AM and you can see him come down the coast then disappear at curl curl. One reported to have gone down with the plane. One taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries.

Squeaks
2nd Sep 2011, 01:22
News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/national/reports-of-a-light-aircraft-crashing-into-water-at-curl-curl/story-e6frfkvr-1226127968801)

A LIGHT aircraft has crashed into the water at North Curl Curl Beach in Sydney and a mission is underway.
The plane crashed into the water about 50m offshore and is submerged in 6-metre deep water.

A Westpac helicopter is at the scene and a rescue mission is underway with a paramedic being winched to the aircraft.

One person is being treated for spinal injuries. The injured person's age and sex were not immediately known.

"Paramedics have accessed one patient who has washed up on rocks and are treating the patient for suspected spinal injuries," an Ambulance Service of NSW statement said.

A spokesman for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter said crewmen were diving down to check the interior of the aircraft for any other survivors.

"There appears to be a couple of survivors on the surface of the water," a spokesman for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter told Macquarie Radio.

"We're hoping there are survivors, we know there are two people that are being supported by local surfers."

Shortly after 10am this morning Sydney Air Traffic Control received a mayday call from the distressed plane.

Minutes later it disappeared off the radar screen.

Soon after Ambulance 000 operators were flooded with calls from witnesses to the crash.

Spokesman from Westpac Stephen Leahy said: "We have no idea of survivors at this stage - we are just trying to get someone down to the crash site."

He also said he had no information on where the plane had come from.

There are claims that the plane carried two people.

truthinbeer
2nd Sep 2011, 01:31
They are stretchering an occupant up the stairs by the rock pool at this moment. Don't know if sole occupant and he appears ok but strapped in to stretcher. I left location as too many people milling around.

Hopefully only occupant.

help me jebus
2nd Sep 2011, 01:40
1111111111

das Uber Soldat
2nd Sep 2011, 01:41
Lets hope they dont close Victor 1 because of 1 incident.

b_sta
2nd Sep 2011, 01:42
Mayday call is on LiveATC Australian satellite at 12 minutes into 0000-0030Z archive.

ckaine
2nd Sep 2011, 01:48
By the sounds of things it's an Australian Lightwing, 24-5040??
Hopefully both occupants are ok!!

defiant
2nd Sep 2011, 02:05
NineMSN. has a video feed of the rescue.

Pilot killed in light plane crash off Sydney beach (http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8293356/light-aircraft-crashes-near-sydney-beach)

davebowyer
2nd Sep 2011, 02:17
Thoughts with the deceasd pilot and his family today

truthinbeer
2nd Sep 2011, 02:20
Sorry to hear that news.

CharlieNovemberTango
2nd Sep 2011, 03:14
Terrible news. Thoughts go out to the pilot & his family.

40Deg STH
2nd Sep 2011, 03:36
Does anyone know yet where the a/c was from.

my thoughts are with the family RIP

VH-XXX
2nd Sep 2011, 04:55
To the pilot of VH-ZVQ Robinson 66 - nice work on your prompt assistance with looking for the distressed aircraft. I applaud you for your quick offer of help as the situation unfolded. Too often we worry about the commercials of such activities but quick actions like yours can often have a positive result.

Sunfish
2nd Sep 2011, 05:34
Condolences to the family and friends.

After viewing the Lightwing website, I'm at a loss for words.

VH-XXX
2nd Sep 2011, 05:42
What do you mean by that Sunfish?

puff
2nd Sep 2011, 07:39
Check the specs of the aircraft, the apparent departure point of Ballina, and perhaps forcast wind of today...is that where your going Sunfish?

FoxtrotAlpha18
2nd Sep 2011, 07:40
Can Webtrack be edited? Can't see it at 10:10 as suggested.

Turban
2nd Sep 2011, 08:24
It was pretty chilling to hear the last words of a fellow pilot.

That`s what I`ve been thinking about all day...

Thoughts to the family and friends...

RIP

Falling Leaf
2nd Sep 2011, 08:59
The ABC news report suggests that the aircraft went in at a 45 degree angle after the pilot broadcast that he was trying to make a beach landing.

If true, and if this was a stall as a result of trying to stretch the glide, always sad when life is lost when life could have been saved if the aircraft ditched from glide speed.

Ando1Bar
2nd Sep 2011, 10:42
It was pretty chilling to hear the last words of a fellow pilot.

The news broadcasts seemed to get their jollies though from playing back the mayday call to ATC...

Jack Ranga
2nd Sep 2011, 11:59
The news broadcasts seemed to get their jollies though from playing back the mayday call to ATC...

Extremely dis-tasteful, just as dis-tasteful as trying to track it down on live ATC or whatever it is.

Worrals in the wilds
2nd Sep 2011, 12:15
I agree. :yuk: It must be dreadful for the pilot's family and friends to have to deal with that on top of everything else. If it were my partner/Dad/brother it would be the last straw. It's completely unnecessary and adds nothing to the story whatsoever.

A good friend of mine was killed in a newsworthy car accident and it was absolutely rotten to flick on the telly and see his crunched up car and frantic ambulance trip on news bulletins. Actual voice recordings would be far worse. It was like the Army chopper accident a few years ago when they played the crash footage again and again and again, for months. :mad:

These days TV and radio media is an honour free zone. Rats have more pathos, dignity and integrity.

Worrals in the wilds
2nd Sep 2011, 12:32
I don't know that they actually demand it. I think they accept it blindly because it's there, as people used to accept public hangings and going to Bedlam for an entertaining look at the crazies fighting each other. A good chunk of the human race adds weight to the hairless chimpanzee theory but it doesn't mean that it should be encouraged.

If public opinion was all that counted the news would consist of porn, illegal music downloads and Nigerian scams. They're supposed to be better than that and they keep telling us they're better than that. It's starting to sound hollow. :ugh:

As for the dive footage, I agree that's revolting. Why not go the whole Al Jazeera approach and show the dead bodies in car accidents? When criticized by Western journos claiming intellectual superiority (after several televised beheadings by terrorists) AJ just shrugged their collective shoulders and said 'That's what our public want.' Given half a chance I suppose a lot of our public would be the same. Bedlamworld, anyone? Kids get in free. :yuk:

multi_engined
2nd Sep 2011, 12:34
Hearing that the media have dived the wreckage of the aircraft where someones life was taken only this morning is so disturbing... all in search of some footage for their 6pm news, I don't think I can even describe the words that makes me feel, my stomach turns.

Mimpe
2nd Sep 2011, 13:02
I also heard a witness on the news say the angle of entry was 45 deg.

While its speculation, it sounds like a stall from a stretched glide, in which case, the pilot may have hit his head or lost consciousness on impact on the dashboard. There was also a description that it stayed afloat " for two mintues" but thats just what the guy on the beach said when interviewed.

I was thinking what I would do in the same situation, as I fly Victor 1 regularly. I read an article that was very well researched, and apparrently in GA ditchings the passenger survival rate is no different between high or low wing, or between retract UC or fixed UC.

I dont fly Victor one now if I have passengers in the rear seat - especially very old or very young.

For myself, if I thought the glide wasnt going to make it, I would probably try to land perpendicular to land, in the direction of the waves and a short distance out from the wave break. In the interest of public safety, for myself I would probably prefer a ditching rather than a landing on a busy beach, but thats just thinking of it a bit. But I grew up near the beaches and dont mind the surf.

We wear life vests on victor 1 for that reason.

For aircraft with fixed gear, doesn anyone have a few on the ideal ditching technique? My instinct is that a wheel first water contact risks a flip over.

May his dear family find some peace.

I16
2nd Sep 2011, 13:19
'These days TV and radio media is an honour free zone. Rats have more pathos, dignity and integrity.' [quote from Worrals]


The tracking - voice - underwatering filming, all major crass actions.
If you are a shareholder [via superannuation] of any of the TV companies who must have offended you today. Give them a huge blast by email - they will not care unless the owners complain!

ChrisJ800
2nd Sep 2011, 13:21
Thats a tragic accident. Ive flown that route several times. Looks like he was flying/gliding into a southerly headwind then did a low 180. There's a large polo pitch nearby that beach and Long Reef golf course further north as forced landing possibilities, but looks like he didnt have the height.My heart goes out to his family.

Tiger35
2nd Sep 2011, 22:52
Given our great trust of the media maggots of late, are you sure that all of the audio is real?

Since when do ATC say: "Station calling Mayday say again" after hearing a well spoken Mayday call.:=

I thought the idea of saying MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY was to prick up the ears of the ATC so he/she could take all of the information in, in one hit, without distracting the pilot from the emergency situation with a second request and then activate the emergency response and/or offer further operational information.

Condolences to the family of the pilot and good luck to the controller with her post-trauma counselling.

Donalduck
2nd Sep 2011, 23:06
"Since when do ATC say: "Station calling Mayday say again" after hearing a well spoken Mayday call."
It seemed if my hearing was accurate that the initial transmission was not totally clear and was over transmitted by another broadcast... Hence the need for the clarification.

Donalduck
2nd Sep 2011, 23:20
In regards to the level of information being passed on by the media... I agree that it stinks... but I will say that in my experience, having lost a family member in a Sports Flying accident that the footage or the wreckage provided by the media was a positive thing in coming to grips with it.
Perhaps its a pilot thing as we all want to know what happened so may not apply in all cases.
In this case my Dad was on the runway behind the crash aircraft and jumped out and ran to help... Dad had a camera and even took photos of the wreckage himself and the ambulance departing the scene (not of the victim)... I think the old man was in shock at the time hence the photo taking and was unaware that the pilot had died in the ambulance before they departed the scene.... As hard as it was to look at the photos is did help strangely enough... even with my Uncle's bloody flying hat sitting on the crumpled wing.
Perhaps its different for non-flying people... but it helped me to come to grips with the tragedy.

Wally Mk2
2nd Sep 2011, 23:25
Let me first say condolences to the family of the pilot.

It's a sensitive subject, the art of watching, voyeurism so to speak. We are all guilty of it in some form or another. But what 'intheweeds' mentioned society demands it or at least expects photo's/footage of any accident. Take a look at the Space Shuttle that exploded not long after lift off some years ago. 7 died in that & we all watched it live! I know we where not expecting it but we watched the same footage over & over again for ages, no one was forced to watch it again but am sure we did at sometime or another latter on. Even our regulators desire such voyeurism in some adds for smoking & car accidents showing very graphic photos etc. We see the results of car accidents nightly on TV(& even out there on the roads), someone died in that tangled mess right there on our TV screens, are we really that desensitized to death that much?
Perhaps the TV announcers should have mentioned just before the footage came on TV of the wrecked plane that viewer discretion is advised. I'd make a fair bet that we ALL would have still watched it even if we where forewarned.
Tragic it is, news it is also but we do have a choice,don't watch it if yr offended as TV is now very interactive.


Wmk2

Jabawocky
2nd Sep 2011, 23:33
Yep, its a fact of life...death. Some are more unfortunate than others and from this sporns a fascination of sorts. Belief that it happened, for some its part of accepting the event, others the inquisitive mind and questioning why, and how could it have been different. Sometimes its educational, even if its a reminder of what can happen if you stuff up.

Ageed with Wally.......for once :E....you have the choice and the power not to read/look. Just like threads that attract all the "lets wait for the report (in2-3 yrs), rather than discuss all sorts of scenario's that some folk learn from. You can just turn off or don't click the link.

Tiger35
3rd Sep 2011, 00:17
My post is about what Brisbane's CH 7 news aired as audio coming from the pilot and ATC.

I don't know what was actually said, just what was presented on CH 7.

From INTHEWEEDS' comments it sounds like CH 7 are faking it - AGAIN.

truthinbeer
3rd Sep 2011, 00:55
I live quite close to this sad incident. It reminded me of another GA forced landing there around 1985, the a/c landing on the beach by the lagoon entrance and coming to rest inverted. Essentially this is the same spot only just off the beach. My thoughts are a beach landing at this time of the year would not have posed a high level risk to the public. It is unfortunate that for some reason the pilot did not have this option.

metalman2
3rd Sep 2011, 01:50
I have only flown victor 1 once, a bit uncomfortable being low and off shore, I enjoyed it but was pretty happy to be back over land again,
very sad to hear his last words,

VH-XXX
3rd Sep 2011, 04:14
The mayday call was transmitted over the top of a call in progress from another aircraft and was heard by ATC. Whether or not you were near the aircraft would determine if you had heard it - as in the local broadcast would over-ride the repeater signal.

The recordings were not faked on the news - 2 mayday calls were made and the rego incorrectly relayed by the other aircraft.

VH-XXX
3rd Sep 2011, 08:45
Apology accepted :ouch:

I commend those that assist and have done it myself, however what frequently happens (not suggesting it happened here) but others get involved, radio traffic increases, adrenaline kicks in, confusion reins and important messages can be lost, for example the accident aircraft might be trying to transmit. Chinese whispers is what usually occurs. Hard to not want to get involved though.

Something I've heard a few times is when a beacon goes off, then slowly as aircraft come over to the area frequency they hear about the beacon then check 121.5 and report to centre, but usually centre has already asked specific aircraft for reports on the signal strength, but what ensues is a schmozel of non-essential radio calls. The way I look at it is that if radar wants details they will ask, but admittedly not always relevant. If you've heard the drama from the start you usually know when and weather to get involved.

Trojan1981
3rd Sep 2011, 09:12
@In the weeds, I assume you were aboard one of the two Blackhawks. Did you guys attend the scene at all? I assume you passed over on your way back down the coast that afternoon.

Wallsofchina
4th Sep 2011, 01:48
VH perhaps next time you are in Sydney you could drop in and give the Defence crews a briefing on procedures.

VH-XXX
4th Sep 2011, 03:14
Thanks for the advice Alan, much appreciated :D

Perhaps you should go back to your other forum and worry about the governing bodies thread.

If you re-read my post you will see that they were generic comments about these kinds of adrenaline situations, but if you want to relate it to this accident then fine, the military aircraft relayed an incorrect call sign. Don't let my initial honourable intentions get in the way of your constant criticisms though.

Milt
4th Sep 2011, 07:33
Here's hoping it wasn't the Lightwing assembled by the Ballina High School.

VH-XXX
4th Sep 2011, 08:30
Sorry InTheWeeds ABSOLUTELY NO issue here. Just the CHINAMAN grinding an axe as he frequently does that hence my comments. Referring to my earlier post, I was talking about generic emergency situations - I wasn't there so I can't comment further. As I also said in an earlier post than that one, kudos to those that assist and react quickly in these situations as your aircraft and the R66 did.

The aircraft was reportedly on the way back from a "service" at Ballina.

Trojan1981
5th Sep 2011, 03:22
Good work ITW :ok:
Aircraft that can be of no assistance should keep clear once the location and situation are known and reported.
Unfortunate that nothing could be done, even with the rapid response of three civil rescue helicopters (including one EMS) and bystanders. These things happen.

SgtBundy
5th Sep 2011, 08:38
Here's hoping it wasn't the Lightwing assembled by the Ballina High School.

I hope not - I helped built it.

Lancair70
5th Sep 2011, 10:53
AFAIK Ballina high school only built a high wing version, this was a later low wing Speed 2000 model. The 'sevice' entailed giving the airframe a look over (noting dissassembled or removed at all), changing the sparks plugs and oil. Nothing more or less, so Ive been told be a very reputable source here in Ballina.

Hopefully the investigation uncovers the answers.

VH-XXX
5th Sep 2011, 12:16
Very unusual for a Rotax to stop if it has a fuel supply.

I'll go out on a limb and suggest that if there was sufficient fuel on board and if it was fitted with a CSU that the engine has suffered a catastrophic failure. If so it is not the first occurrence of this nature.

Unfortunately it will be a long time before we find out, if at all.