R44 crashed Ireland

[LA4200]

Miraculous escape for pilot after helicopter crash in Offaly - Independent.ie (http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/miraculous-escape-for-pilot-after-helicopter-crash-in-offaly-30477551.html)

http://cdn1.independent.ie/incoming/article30477587.ece/c6bab/ALTERNATES/h342/hc.jpg

[RINKER]

Thankfully no serious injuries.
Wonder if it had fuel bladders fitted ?

Rinker

[fluffy5]

Seems a very lucky impact into the ground from some height. Thankfully the pilot is ok, and no serious injuries. I hope people do not get to upset what I am about to say, because in all seriousness an accident or incident is not particularly nice to joke about, but if everyone is ok and only a few bruises I just cannot help myself looking at the picture above.
The man in the picture above talking on the mobile phone is saying to the insurers " next thing I know someone left the gates open and the Robinson got loose in the field ...."
But again happy that no one is hurt, and this sort of comment would not have been raised if circumstances where different.

Fluffy

[MartinCh]

unusual attitude in there. Looks like losing control in hover or last bit of approach, power/pedals/crosswind?? I feared another IIMC fatal by the subject/location, so good to read not so good news.

rinker, judging by the weather/location, the post-prang fire chance is reduced. I don't keep track of all R44 'crash and burn' events, but those in Australia that focused attention of CASA etc, were at much hotter/drier climate, where the engine's outer surfaces would get hotter as well. Remember, even with standard tanks, the SB was also about sealed rotor brake switches as possible ignition sources.

[Wander00]

Press report implies the aircraft hit pylon/cables first which I suppose could account for an "unusual attitude". Glad he walked away

[Peter-RB]

To some this question may seem lame, but with such an accident, are any parts on that R44 recoverable or does the entire Airframe and broken hardware finish up in some furnace to come back as Coke tins?

Peter R-B
Lancashire
UK

[SuperF]

i think that the old coke cans go to the Robbie factory, not the other way round. Cokes standards are far too high for that. :E