Helicopter - v - crane LONDON
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Some lady MP cited earlier the 'ever increasing helicopter flights across London' - facts are there has been a significant fall in activity since 2007.
BHA, BBGA, CAA, NATS etc. need to work together and get some real facts out there - never been any fatal helicopter accident in central London until now for example.
BHA, BBGA, CAA, NATS etc. need to work together and get some real facts out there - never been any fatal helicopter accident in central London until now for example.
fairflyer
I had a similar thought as I couldn't specifically remember flying past it (but I guess I must have)!
St Georges Wharf - according to a picture on wikipedia - was showing a similar level of completeness (e.g. above the surrounding) in Feb 2012 (even the crane), you'd therefore reasonably expect it to be shown on a 09/2012 London Heliroutes map and probably on the Battersea plates if the appropriate procedures have all been followed.
I'm sure AAIB will look into all that though
I had a similar thought as I couldn't specifically remember flying past it (but I guess I must have)!
St Georges Wharf - according to a picture on wikipedia - was showing a similar level of completeness (e.g. above the surrounding) in Feb 2012 (even the crane), you'd therefore reasonably expect it to be shown on a 09/2012 London Heliroutes map and probably on the Battersea plates if the appropriate procedures have all been followed.
I'm sure AAIB will look into all that though
Last edited by chopperchappie; 16th Jan 2013 at 20:16.
More than just an ATCO
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BBC London news reported that a "black box" had been recovered.
As usual, the locals up in arms have probably moved into the area in the last few years, certainly since the heliport opened in 1959.
As usual, the locals up in arms have probably moved into the area in the last few years, certainly since the heliport opened in 1959.
Last edited by Lon More; 16th Jan 2013 at 19:42.
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From a year and a bit ago - St. Georges Warf Tower has grown a lot in the last year:
LONDON | St. George Wharf Tower | 181m | 50 fl | T/O - Page 10 - SkyscraperCity
LONDON | St. George Wharf Tower | 181m | 50 fl | T/O - Page 10 - SkyscraperCity
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The 332 foot obstruction shown on the London Heliport chart in the AIP dated 18 Oct 12 has grown to 594 feet on the current SkyDemon chart. Presumably this is the tower with the crane that was hit. I think I saw a Garmin GPS on the panel of the Agusta in one of the pictures that has been posted / linked. Has anyone looked to see the height of the obstruction in the current Garmin database? If this was in use and up to date, it might have provided an obstruction warning.
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New Press Release on RotorMotion's Home Page
It is with great sadness that RotorMotion announces the death of Captain Pete Barnes as a result of the helicopter accident in London today, 16th January 2013.
RotorMotion is a small and tightly knit team and we are united in expressing our sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of those who were tragically killed and injured at Vauxhall.
While we of course understand the considerable interest in the accident, it is far too early for us to comment on the cause and we are unable to release any further information at this stage other than to say that the helicopter involved was an Agusta A-109E, occupied solely by its pilot.
As soon as we are able to verify the full details, we will release a further statement.
In the meantime, we wish to assure everyone that we will be continuing to give our full cooperation to the Air Accident Investigation Branch and other authorities currently on site, as we have been during the course of the day.
Our immediate priority is to assist those who have been left injured or bereaved by the accident and we are seeking to take proactive steps in liaison with the emergency services.
We fully echo the sentiments of the Prime Minister in expressing gratitude for the superb professionalism of the Metropolitan Police, The Fire Service and the London Ambulance Service who have excelled in very trying circumstances. We extend our gratitude and praise to them.
We would like to reiterate that our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this accident.
We have no further comments to make at this stage and hope that you will understand that we are not in a position to answer any questions.
For further press and media enquiries please contact Paul Blezard of BrightRedCoat on [email protected]
RotorMotion is a small and tightly knit team and we are united in expressing our sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of those who were tragically killed and injured at Vauxhall.
While we of course understand the considerable interest in the accident, it is far too early for us to comment on the cause and we are unable to release any further information at this stage other than to say that the helicopter involved was an Agusta A-109E, occupied solely by its pilot.
As soon as we are able to verify the full details, we will release a further statement.
In the meantime, we wish to assure everyone that we will be continuing to give our full cooperation to the Air Accident Investigation Branch and other authorities currently on site, as we have been during the course of the day.
Our immediate priority is to assist those who have been left injured or bereaved by the accident and we are seeking to take proactive steps in liaison with the emergency services.
We fully echo the sentiments of the Prime Minister in expressing gratitude for the superb professionalism of the Metropolitan Police, The Fire Service and the London Ambulance Service who have excelled in very trying circumstances. We extend our gratitude and praise to them.
We would like to reiterate that our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this accident.
We have no further comments to make at this stage and hope that you will understand that we are not in a position to answer any questions.
For further press and media enquiries please contact Paul Blezard of BrightRedCoat on [email protected]
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Surely the caption below the last photo could have been better. 
Andrewgr2
I just looked at an old 2008 heliroutes map and the same 332 ft obstacle is in the same place, so I would have thought that would be the building next to the St George Wharf Tower which wasn't started in 2008 - the NOTAMS issued for the crane say 770ft
I just looked at an old 2008 heliroutes map and the same 332 ft obstacle is in the same place, so I would have thought that would be the building next to the St George Wharf Tower which wasn't started in 2008 - the NOTAMS issued for the crane say 770ft
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chopperchappie
Agreed that the 332 foot obstruction was probably the building next door - also shown on the October 2012 heliport plate in the AIP. The up to date SkyDemon chart shows a 594 foot obstruction in the same place noted as 'number in group - 3' so perhaps this includes the new building with the old. It is near the centre of the 1 nm circle on the chart marking the crane NOTAM area.
nimby
The 'rumours and news' thread quotes the aircraft involved as G-CRST with the link 1997 Agusta 109E Power (G-CRST). This shows a blue helicopter apparently for sale at $2.5m and includes a picture of the panel and a spec including a Garmin 430.
Agreed that the 332 foot obstruction was probably the building next door - also shown on the October 2012 heliport plate in the AIP. The up to date SkyDemon chart shows a 594 foot obstruction in the same place noted as 'number in group - 3' so perhaps this includes the new building with the old. It is near the centre of the 1 nm circle on the chart marking the crane NOTAM area.
nimby
The 'rumours and news' thread quotes the aircraft involved as G-CRST with the link 1997 Agusta 109E Power (G-CRST). This shows a blue helicopter apparently for sale at $2.5m and includes a picture of the panel and a spec including a Garmin 430.
Quote:
In 'Grenvilles' (first) picture, does that suggest the jib was sticking out towards the river?
In 'Grenvilles' (first) picture, does that suggest the jib was sticking out towards the river?
Last edited by mickjoebill; 16th Jan 2013 at 22:22.
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Minor thing but in my post I commented that it is a sad thing that twatter is quoted as a news source but this has translated into saying sad thing that pprune is quoted as a news source, which completely changes meaning. When I tried to edit to see if sthg had been mistyped it says twatter (with an i) in source but appears as pprune. Someone who runs this might want to remove this auto edit feature.
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To a Londoner who doesn't go back there much the amount of recent development on the South Bank opposite Victoria, Chelsea and Fulham is very noticeable.
There are some photos of the construction of the Tower at St Georges Wharf on the link below which show its size
One St George Wharf (The Tower) | Lambeth | 181m | 49 fl | T/O - Page 119 - SkyscraperCity
If you 'walk' across Vauxhall Bridge in Google Earth Streetview the new tower and crane pop in and out of existence in the sequential views....Battersea power station which is much closer to the Heliport (and pre-dates it) can be seen in the background
There are some photos of the construction of the Tower at St Georges Wharf on the link below which show its size
One St George Wharf (The Tower) | Lambeth | 181m | 49 fl | T/O - Page 119 - SkyscraperCity
If you 'walk' across Vauxhall Bridge in Google Earth Streetview the new tower and crane pop in and out of existence in the sequential views....Battersea power station which is much closer to the Heliport (and pre-dates it) can be seen in the background
Last edited by A30yoyo; 17th Jan 2013 at 10:21.
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I think the notable difference with St Georges tower to other tall buildings in the vicinity is it very proximity to the river - there's nothing else of that height so close to the river, above which many helicopters will be travelling. A year ago, there would not have been anyting above 500ft immediately beside the river and now there is.
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"Helicopter pilots often fly with a bone dome; does this restrict your lookout at all?"
I have spent 30 years flying helicopters all of the time wearing a bone dome and the answer is no - provided the visor is clean and unscratched or up!
I have spent 30 years flying helicopters all of the time wearing a bone dome and the answer is no - provided the visor is clean and unscratched or up!