View Full Version : Police Bell 429 crash in Slovakia
Fatal crash reported in this article (https://domov.sme.sk/c/20529455/pri-presove-spadol-vrtulnik-so-styrmi-ludmi.html?ref=njct#axzz4ggr1bDZ9).
https://m.smedata.sk/api-media/media/image/sme/3/25/2520253/2520253_1200x.jpeg?rev=3
Basic facts:
Police Bell 429 crashed shortly after T/O from military base near Prešov with two police pilots and two firemen. It was a training flight.
One of the firemen died on the spot the second one later in hospital. One of the pilots is in critical condition another "stabilised".
Helicopter fell spiralling from 100m height 200m from the starting point. It was purchased only 2 years ago.
In Slovakia we are still waiting to find out about reasons for SAR Bell 429 crash (http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/584140-brand-new-bell-429-crash-slovakia.html?) in September last year.
One interesting detail emerged in the news – allegedly both firemen were hanging on the rope. They were winched back and when they were almost retrieved the helicopter started to fall.
I think on the photo above it can be seen that rope is partly extended.
(Not sure if my wording is fully correct as English is not my native tongue).
9Aplus
11th May 2017, 19:45
Pali
thank you for your efforts.
My sincere condolences to all related and RIP for souls of both perished.
Let's hope for quick and good recovery of pilots.
Please continue with your reports when possible....
Good news after all that misery. One of the pilot woke up from coma yesterday, communicates and there are good chances for recovery.
Another one still in medically induced coma in critical condition but many people in the community hold fingers crossed.
Stories emerge after this accident:
Both deceased firemen were executives, one of them (picture below) was the district commander of firefighter forces. In his age he could stay at his office desk but it seems that he operated under the principle – lead by example and he died in rescue training which he would normally expect from his men.
http://img.topky.sk/big/1963625.jpg/Radoslav-Lacko.jpg
One of the pilot participated on a rescue mission due helicopter accident 12 years ago on the same spot.
Speculation about possible cause:
I've heard another SAR pilot talking that sudden rotor wind could affect the flight and become one of the factors in this accident. (I am not sure how to retrieve metar for LZPW 2 days ago...)
Masak
13th May 2017, 10:00
Compared to the rest of the aicraft, the tail rotor seems to be fairly intact. One would think it was not turning in the moment of impact. It would also corespods with witness saying "helicopter was spinning during a fall".
https://presov.korzar.sme.sk/g/61822/policajny-vrtulnik-ktory-sa-zrutil-pri-presove?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fdomov.sme.sk%2Fc%2F20529455%2Fpri-presove-spadol-vrtulnik-so-styrmi-ludmi.html&list=1
As far I heard – the helicopter hit the ground in a nose down attitude.
hoistop
13th May 2017, 17:07
From photo it seems that hoist operation was ongoing - hoist boom extended, winch cable extended cca 2 metres. Interesting to note that crew was composed of two pilots and two firemen - so one fireman acted as hoist operator? That means he was not full time on duty with helicopter operator? Interesting combination if I am right.
Am a bit familiar with such arangements and not a big fan of it.
But reports on spinning around yaw axis also raises eyebrows. I cannot imagine worse situation than having a person on the cable with emergency situation - been there and still sends shivers down my spine.
Looking forward for initial report.
hoistop
Helisweet
13th May 2017, 18:28
N911ED - Air Methods Bell 429 at Des Moines | Photo ID 135252 | Airplane-Pictures.net (http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/135252/n911ed-air-methods-bell-429/)
From the media reports both firemen were on the cable. That sounds odd to me?
Let's see what comes out in the official report.
ShyTorque
13th May 2017, 21:51
Is that hydraulic fluid down the starboard side?
The Sultan
14th May 2017, 01:16
Looks post incident as the baggage door is clean.
skadi
14th May 2017, 11:12
Is that hydraulic fluid down the starboard side?
Seems more to be engine oil. Is more yellow than red.
skadi
hoistop
14th May 2017, 11:18
From the media reports both firemen were on the cable. That sounds odd to me?
Pali,
Is Slovakian police operating 429 hoist ops with two pilots or is it single pilot+technician/TCM? (and incorrectly stated as "pilot" by media??)
Or was a pilot operating the hoist? From what position? Am really curious in all that.
hoistop
@hoistop:
I did again some research and though in all articles it says "Two firemen and two police pilots" but I found one article with minister of interior statement as follows:
Crew completed final manoeuvre when they practiced hoisting rescuer together with rescued person on the cable and they closed in to the group of their colleagues on the base.
Helicopter was in a kind of curve as both firemen were hoisted almost to the deck when helicopter crashed. It fell nose down and bounced back. From the distance it looked like if it landed safely but it was not the case.
In the accident both firemen - rescuers died, pilot and operator survived.
So yes, in that statement pilot + operator is mentioned.