Phoinix

Wow, a perfect save. The flooded river was a good motivation factor

Aser

good job!


Regards
Aser

topendtorque

Top hole VF, top hole.

Phoinix

What went through your mind at the time of the failure?

I don't mean that american cliche "I thought I was gonna die..." but, did you think about the maneuver you need to perform, or did you just do what you are trained to do - automatically?

Limeygal

Glad everyone is OK VF

Madbob

VF - If you'd have been in the army/navy/air force you'd be looking at a well deserved "Green Endorsement" or even an AFC. Well done indeed.

Just a quick question for you. At what sort of density altitude/elevation did this happen? I shudder to think what effect a really high DA would have in an auto......I guess what might have been a brick, just becomes an even heavier brick.

Kudos and hats off.

MB

Capt.Gonzo

Wow, well done! Good to hear that everyone is ok!

Takeoff53

Just found this thread, looked trough all the pictures with some tears in my eyes... 1983/1984 I worked in Kathmandu and Namche Bazar, constructing a power plant (this was before my flying activities). During my time in Nepal I had the chance to visit a lot of places in this beautiful country and now I got the chance to see them again from the air with your pictures. Thanks a lot!

Just a question: Do you have somewhere a closer shot showing Namche with some more details?

belly tank

VF well done on the save, however I must disagree the B2 1D1 I've flown for 6 years has had nil problems has been one of the best engine I've worked with so far, touch wood!.....I'm sorry for your loss and a job well done mate.

Vertical Freedom

Thanking You all very kindly.

Actually the first thing that went through my mind was - 'oh but this can't be happening to Me'????

Then instinct took over when I realized there was no where to land but the river, but then the rice field came into view around the next river bend & by the Grace of God's hand I pulled the lever up beyond my training, beyond airmanship, experience, common sense, beyond the RFM limits & just kept dragging Nr down till the sight picture told me I was gonna get there, vibration was quiet severe. Nr was 250rrpm, 20 below the lower red line @ 90kts

I never had time to think more, I just knew that I had to get us onto the the ground in one piece, that was my duty, that was my job & today; that is still my job. Surviving emergencies to protect our pax & machine is just another part of our job requirement. We were on the ground 20seconds after the noise stopped

Happy Landings; Always

VF

Forced landing location was 6,673’amsl @ 28oC

Jet Ranger

Amazing

Vertical Freedom

Namaste Belly Tank

Globally there have been approx. 100 module 3 bearing failures on the AS305B2. Here in Nepal there have been 5 so far, of which 2 were inflight. that is sickening & frightening

There is an obvious problem with this bearing in the module 3 but Turbomecca are refusing to seriously address this issue. Is there are reall problem here with this engine??? 100 so far Globally - Yes......

OmOmOm

VF

belly tank

I'm presuming you've seen the AD

http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_a...AD_2012-0071_1

heliduck

Once you've got the tail & skids bolted back on, throw in an LTS101 for good measures.

Vertical Freedom

Hey Belly Tank

We have a power by the hour contract with Eurocopter Singapore so obviously they keep us all up to date. I checked they got that one.

Namaste Hellyduck

one operator here has done that swap. We too are considering as Turbomecca support

Happy Landings

VF

RVDT

Of interest may be what laterite is.

Probably hard to get away from it anywhere in Aus or anywhere between the 2 tropics!

This AD has been around for a while and the latest one covers the determination that the issue may be worse than expected.

Determining how much cr@p the engine has eaten and vibe checks are the solution until TU 360 is incorporated.

The rear gas generator bearing is a sensitive area on the Arriel and needs to be looked after appropriately.

First point - don't operate the engine like an Allison 250!

robin303

VF, Did they airlift that bird out and with what.

Vertical Freedom

Namaste robin303

Yes they used an Mi8 to airlift her down to VNNG

Happy Landings

VF

rigidkid

That is an unbelievable sight....what a photo....many thanks for sharing these and all your other snaps...just great

mad_jock

As a fixed wing driver I am suprised any of these machines can get off the ground due to the size of the bollocks of the pilots.

Cracking photo's keep them coming. And glad you got the burd on the ground and everyone safe.