krypton_john
5th Apr 2013, 00:24
Freak gust puts rescue chopper out of action | Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8512364/Freak-gust-puts-rescue-chopper-out-of-action)
Article mentions blade to boom impact - I assume it actually hit the vertical stabs which in the photograph have been removed.
It was windy enough in Auckalofa yesterday, but is typically much worse in Wellywood.
The Hawke's Bay rescue helicopter is out of action after a rotor blade hit the tail during "a freak gust of wind" while preparing to take off from Wellington Hospital on Wednesday night.
The accident split the rotor blade and took a chunk out of the tail boom, leaving the helicopter out of action on Wellington hospital's rooftop helipad.
It was brought down from the roof by crane yesterday afternoon and trucked back to Napier for repairs, which were expected to take several days, helicopter rescue trust general manager Ian Wilmot said. A backup rescue helicopter would be used in the meantime.
Wilmot said the aircraft had been flying in and out of Wellington for years without incident.
The accident was caused by a "perfect storm" of events, with a gust blowing at the wrong moment during the start-up sequence.
The chopper had delivered a patient needing urgent specialist care to the hospital from Hawke's Bay, and was about to return when the damage occurred. No-one was injured, and there was no damage to the helipad or hospital property. The helipad remained open.
The incident had been reported to the Civil Aviation Authority, which said it was aware of this type of event, known as bladesailing, occurring infrequently.
Helicopters were subject to wind gusts in certain situations, such as taking off from oil rigs or at high latitudes, CAA spokesman Matthew Shore said.
"There is no greater risk of this type of incident occurring in Wellington, as compared to anywhere else where a helicopter may be subject to wind gusts."
The CAA was evaluating the initial information from the pilot and would then decide on the appropriate investigation.
http://static.stuff.co.nz/1365116461/289/8514289.jpg
Article mentions blade to boom impact - I assume it actually hit the vertical stabs which in the photograph have been removed.
It was windy enough in Auckalofa yesterday, but is typically much worse in Wellywood.
The Hawke's Bay rescue helicopter is out of action after a rotor blade hit the tail during "a freak gust of wind" while preparing to take off from Wellington Hospital on Wednesday night.
The accident split the rotor blade and took a chunk out of the tail boom, leaving the helicopter out of action on Wellington hospital's rooftop helipad.
It was brought down from the roof by crane yesterday afternoon and trucked back to Napier for repairs, which were expected to take several days, helicopter rescue trust general manager Ian Wilmot said. A backup rescue helicopter would be used in the meantime.
Wilmot said the aircraft had been flying in and out of Wellington for years without incident.
The accident was caused by a "perfect storm" of events, with a gust blowing at the wrong moment during the start-up sequence.
The chopper had delivered a patient needing urgent specialist care to the hospital from Hawke's Bay, and was about to return when the damage occurred. No-one was injured, and there was no damage to the helipad or hospital property. The helipad remained open.
The incident had been reported to the Civil Aviation Authority, which said it was aware of this type of event, known as bladesailing, occurring infrequently.
Helicopters were subject to wind gusts in certain situations, such as taking off from oil rigs or at high latitudes, CAA spokesman Matthew Shore said.
"There is no greater risk of this type of incident occurring in Wellington, as compared to anywhere else where a helicopter may be subject to wind gusts."
The CAA was evaluating the initial information from the pilot and would then decide on the appropriate investigation.
http://static.stuff.co.nz/1365116461/289/8514289.jpg