Paraguayan Presidential Candidate Killed in R44 Crash

[2Sticks]

Just done a search and can't see that this has been posted: Link here: Paraguayan presidential candidate killed in R44 crash | Helihub - the Helicopter Industry Data Source (http://helihub.com/2013/02/03/paraguayan-presidential-candidate-killed-in-r44-crash/)
2S

[nellycopter]

An R44 jet ranger in special colours for the event ??.:ok:

[topendtorque]

An R44 jet ranger in special colours for the event ??Eyesight a problem there Nelly??

Some media reports are suggesting that the helicopter involved was donated for the campaign period by a businessman from Brazil, but we can confirm that helicopter was JetRanger PT-HSN, which has been painted up in a special scheme (http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2013/2013-02-03/images/oviedohelicoptero650.jpg) for the period.

[gulliBell]

...and from the same link

One report from neighbouring Argentina says that the planned departure time for the R44 of 7.15pm was put back to 9.00pm and that the pilot had raised two objections to flying - firstly that the R44 was not suitably equipped for night flight, and secondly that there was an approaching storm front between the departure point at Concepcion and the intended destination at Asuncion. The report goes on to say that Oviedo insisted that the flight went ahead. The wreckage was found the following day.

If true I'm left to wonder, did they find another pilot? In any event they should be able to wrap up the investigation quite quickly one would think.

[Silvio Pettirossi]

No, they didnt find another pilot. It was the same one, he may had his concerns about flying that night but he shure didnt had the guts to say no to "mi general", his passenger (ex-general turned politician, founder of his own party, who spend time in jail for a military coup attempt about 18 years ago) . This Guy was not known for asking for opinions before he decided something, and that night he decided to return to Asunción, period. So it was like an order to his pilot (who was an active militar flying civil charter in his spare time, something forbidden by paraguayan law). They departed an airbase with mixed military/civil use. There is an NOTAM published for this base, that restricts civil use to daytime operations. But they departed at night anyway, again, who on the base would have the guts to stop "mi general" (who, while being retired still had a big influence over the military in this country).
So, at the end, what happened there at night, in bad weather above and almost ihabited area is just the last link in the chain that leaded to this accident.
Sorry for the long post and bad english.

[HeliHenri]

Hello Silvio,

You're post is so sad (I'm thinking of the pilot) and unfortunately so interesting.

You could add it in this thread : http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/507572-how-do-you-deal-customer-pressure.html#post7685490

.

[SASless]

This is not your run of the mill "Commercial Pressure" case......as I would bet there could have been more than just a virtual Pistol held to the Pilot's head.

Sadly, a good outcome came at the cost of a pilot's life.:(

[Ian Corrigible]

Conspiracy theories already appearing.

CIA Orchestrates Pre-Election Campaign in Paraguay (http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2013/02/08/cia-orchestrates-pre-election-campaign-in-paraguay.html)

Mutilated bodies and fragments of the helicopter were discovered in a palm grove, and rescuers were surprised to find the remains scattered in a fan-shaped pattern 100-150 metres from the area where the helicopter's cabin and engine had embedded themselves into the ground. This circumstance has given rise to the idea that Oviedo was the victim of an assassination attempt using an explosive device.

I/C

[tottigol]

Darwin successfully at work if in a somewhat twisted and diabolical way.:sad:

My thoughts go to the pilot's family who are again left with nothing but memories.