Squirrel helicopter crash in Bergen, Norway May 2017
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Some interesting replies here, some kinder than others. Maybe we can just be grateful that unlike most accidents that are discussed on here, the pilot is remarkably alive and well to tell us what happened. If you have to make a split second decision when it all goes tits up, you are going to be grateful to be a position to make a press conference. Clearly still in shock and deeply concerned for his friend, maybe we should wonder how much sense we would make only days after surviving this incident.
G-SASY
No. have you been HUET trained? The last thing you do is go back in to a helicopter that is sinking.
I only watched the first 8 minutes of the press conference as it was rather cringeworthy - did he actually say he went back in to the aircraft having got out? With the floats inflated and the aircraft stable, it would be less of a risk to go back to help others unstrap. Were they HUET trained?
So you wouldn't have risked your life going back to save others? Understood.
I only watched the first 8 minutes of the press conference as it was rather cringeworthy - did he actually say he went back in to the aircraft having got out? With the floats inflated and the aircraft stable, it would be less of a risk to go back to help others unstrap. Were they HUET trained?
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This morning's Times described him as an 'aerobatic' pilot. I've seen him perform some tricks, but is this an accurate description? I appreciate there have been other incidents however surely in this case there can be no doubt about the nature of this accident? An unusual press conference though, for sure.
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Apparently the ship was positioned head to wind to receive the heli, with continuous countdown to arrival, 3hrs out, 1hr out, 15m, 3m, 2m, final etc...
Last edited by G-SASY; 16th May 2017 at 10:50. Reason: new info
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Sure we are friends, and proud of it. As it happens I have flown the same route with Q years ago; London, Perth, Shetlands, Bergen. Q was very professional and well prepared; insisted on immersion suits, lifejackets, personal EPIRBS, carry a life raft, floats fitted to heli, extensive preflight checks and briefing, all subject to having perfect weather. I have to assume he approached last weeks flight with equal professionalism.
I'm a little disappointed in some of the bitter postings on this forum. The three chaps have been through a hell of an ordeal I hope none of us have ever to face. Clear from the interview, Q is still suffering from shock and fearful for his friend, which I think we should all understand.
I've done the dunker training (but never the real thing) as many of you would have done. It is very disorienting and getting back into the heli three times in 8 degree water to save others would be very challenging and more you could reasonably expect from the average chap.
I'm a little disappointed in some of the bitter postings on this forum. The three chaps have been through a hell of an ordeal I hope none of us have ever to face. Clear from the interview, Q is still suffering from shock and fearful for his friend, which I think we should all understand.
I've done the dunker training (but never the real thing) as many of you would have done. It is very disorienting and getting back into the heli three times in 8 degree water to save others would be very challenging and more you could reasonably expect from the average chap.
I've done the dunker training (but never the real thing) as many of you would have done. It is very disorienting and getting back into the heli three times in 8 degree water to save others would be very challenging and more you could reasonably expect from the average chap.
If he did go back in (do we know that for sure) 3 times (why when there were only 2 others in it) but with the floats inflated and the helo inverted and stable then yes, it is an admirable thing to do and I suspect in those conditions, properly suited up and with adrenaline pumping, most of us would have done the same to rescue friends.
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I have to say that everyone involved did a great job with the situation they had to contend with. The Pilots and accident boards should now be left in piece until the full official report comes out. I guess the ships captain may need to interviewed about the open heli deck and update the procedure for future operations.
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I too find many of the posts above distasteful.
Ideally a web forum would serve as source of information (& possibly entertainment) on an activity or topic. Unfortunately, they often serve as no more than therapy for the insecure.
Among the forums I frequent (helicopter flying, skydiving, wingsuit flying, yachting, white-water kayaking & photography), incongruously I find the higher the average age of the forum users - the more juvenile the level of discussion. In questioning the case as to why a discussion among a group of guys with a median age of 25 is more cordial/professional than a group with a median age more like 60, I see it comes down to insecurity.
For the examples of the forums noted above, the most childish discussions/behaviour emanate from the two forums with the highest proportion of “gentlemen of a certain age” – namely the photography forum and PPrune Rotorheads. I see the common element being persons who personally feel they don’t receive the notice they deserve (either monetarily or via peer recognition).
Ideally a web forum would serve as source of information (& possibly entertainment) on an activity or topic. Unfortunately, they often serve as no more than therapy for the insecure.
Among the forums I frequent (helicopter flying, skydiving, wingsuit flying, yachting, white-water kayaking & photography), incongruously I find the higher the average age of the forum users - the more juvenile the level of discussion. In questioning the case as to why a discussion among a group of guys with a median age of 25 is more cordial/professional than a group with a median age more like 60, I see it comes down to insecurity.
For the examples of the forums noted above, the most childish discussions/behaviour emanate from the two forums with the highest proportion of “gentlemen of a certain age” – namely the photography forum and PPrune Rotorheads. I see the common element being persons who personally feel they don’t receive the notice they deserve (either monetarily or via peer recognition).
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Originally Posted by [email protected]
yes, it is disorientating getting out of the aircraft and you would normally inflate your lifejacket once clear. I don't know if he did that or not but it would have made getting back into the helo nigh on impossible.
If he did go back in (do we know that for sure) 3 times (why when there were only 2 others in it) but with the floats inflated and the helo inverted and stable then yes, it is an admirable thing to do and I suspect in those conditions, properly suited up and with adrenaline pumping, most of us would have done the same to rescue friends.
If he did go back in (do we know that for sure) 3 times (why when there were only 2 others in it) but with the floats inflated and the helo inverted and stable then yes, it is an admirable thing to do and I suspect in those conditions, properly suited up and with adrenaline pumping, most of us would have done the same to rescue friends.
Well done Crab .... You JUST saved yourself at the end 👏
Because if you had carried on with the " don't re enter !"
Line you would have been shredded . I don't care what it says .... Could you just tread water and watch your friends drown ??? I personally wouldn't want to survive like that .
Because if you had carried on with the " don't re enter !"
Line you would have been shredded . I don't care what it says .... Could you just tread water and watch your friends drown ??? I personally wouldn't want to survive like that .
Nigel - the advice about not going back in comes from an Army pilot who crashed a Lynx into the water, escaped himself and then went back in for his mates. The aircraft sank and all were lost.
Q was very lucky not to get snagged on a sinking aircraft before he got the floats inflated and he did do well to get the others out.
RMK
perhaps it is more to do with levels of experience and knowledge gained from painful situations among the older ones. Perhaps also the older ones among us are less likely to be pink and fluffy about things and tell it like it is
Q was very lucky not to get snagged on a sinking aircraft before he got the floats inflated and he did do well to get the others out.
RMK
In questioning the case as to why a discussion among a group of guys with a median age of 25 is more cordial/professional than a group with a median age more like 60, I see it comes down to insecurity.
I get what you say , but it doesn't alter the fact that you , as PIC , should put yourself in harms way to save your pax . It may work or it may not but you won't know until you have tried your best .
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I'm somewhat dismayed to see people here dissing Q.
He did the right thing(s) in a difficult situation for which he was physically and mentally and personally prepared. Character, in a word.
Sure, it's not the stuff of a George Cross, but he did the right things and he made a beneficial difference in a situation which could so easily have had several much worse outcomes in the hands of a lesser man.
Good on 'im, I say.
I'd much rather see him step forward to receive an honour from a livery company in the City than that much less worthy woman who so falsely made so many claims of her own achievements. I think that that particular dining and dressing society could perhaps partly redeem themselves by recognising Q with a small metal disc and some nice words in recognition of what he actually did when things so suddenly turned to ****.
He did the right thing(s) in a difficult situation for which he was physically and mentally and personally prepared. Character, in a word.
Sure, it's not the stuff of a George Cross, but he did the right things and he made a beneficial difference in a situation which could so easily have had several much worse outcomes in the hands of a lesser man.
Good on 'im, I say.
I'd much rather see him step forward to receive an honour from a livery company in the City than that much less worthy woman who so falsely made so many claims of her own achievements. I think that that particular dining and dressing society could perhaps partly redeem themselves by recognising Q with a small metal disc and some nice words in recognition of what he actually did when things so suddenly turned to ****.
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I'd much rather see him step forward to receive an honour from a livery company in the City than that much less worthy woman who so falsely made so many claims of her own achievements. I think that that particular dining and dressing society could perhaps partly redeem themselves by recognising Q with a small metal disc and some nice words in recognition of what he actually did when things so suddenly turned to ****.
I have landed on a few oil rigs, and the worst are "permanent installations" in the tropics where covers for various fixtures and the nylon ropes securing them have been sun bleached to the point where they are degraded to breaking point. A big problem which can easily be missed in a safety check. The lashings may look safe but grab one, give it a good jerk and it fails. In the constant safety checks these covers become "background noise" there is no program for close inspection or regular replacement. In this case..who fabricated this cover or certified that it was safe and properly secured? Hope everyone recovers from their injuries. As for awards and medals....I think we are getting way ahead of the parade.
I always remember the description given by a friend after an unsecured 3* sleeping bag flew up into the rotor system of his 500C .."Boys, I was over on my back faster than a cheap, ugly Saturday night whore at closing time!"
I always remember the description given by a friend after an unsecured 3* sleeping bag flew up into the rotor system of his 500C .."Boys, I was over on my back faster than a cheap, ugly Saturday night whore at closing time!"
Last edited by albatross; 16th May 2017 at 20:51.
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I liked the press conference. Praising the Norwegian Emergency services is a natural thing to do if you feel that your life or the life of your friend was saved by their help. I have not met Q but he seems a decent guy with a great beard.
Some really stupid arrogant posts on this thread. I have spent a lot of time over the ocean in a helicopter. Done the HUET thing a few times. However to listen to the reality of an unexpected ditching is very interesting having only imagined what it would be like.
I suspect the vitriolic posts on this thread are more to do with envy that three friends can up sticks, do a great flight to a super yacht just because they can. (Albeit as Q says, it ended with an accident).
I once took a Tesco step carrier bag into my disc on a night HEMS tak-off. No vibration but the noise was so dramatic my arse had eaten most of the seat cushion during the subsequent reject.
On the hero subject I recall another helicopter pilot and I am ashamed to say I have forgotten his name. He jumped into the maelstrom of water in the centre of the AH001 jacket (I think I have that right) to try and save some Bears who were trapped in there.only because he was the only one with an immersion suit on. I think he is a fixed wing pilot now and I recall talking to him on the ATC as he swanned over the NS on his way to somewhere exotic. He was also a really nice guy. He did get a medal for his incredible selfless act.
Good job Q and ignore the tossers on this thread!
Some really stupid arrogant posts on this thread. I have spent a lot of time over the ocean in a helicopter. Done the HUET thing a few times. However to listen to the reality of an unexpected ditching is very interesting having only imagined what it would be like.
I suspect the vitriolic posts on this thread are more to do with envy that three friends can up sticks, do a great flight to a super yacht just because they can. (Albeit as Q says, it ended with an accident).
I once took a Tesco step carrier bag into my disc on a night HEMS tak-off. No vibration but the noise was so dramatic my arse had eaten most of the seat cushion during the subsequent reject.
On the hero subject I recall another helicopter pilot and I am ashamed to say I have forgotten his name. He jumped into the maelstrom of water in the centre of the AH001 jacket (I think I have that right) to try and save some Bears who were trapped in there.only because he was the only one with an immersion suit on. I think he is a fixed wing pilot now and I recall talking to him on the ATC as he swanned over the NS on his way to somewhere exotic. He was also a really nice guy. He did get a medal for his incredible selfless act.
Good job Q and ignore the tossers on this thread!
Landing on a lux yacht one would expect all checks to be done in preparation for your arrival to have been completed.
I am sure they had "Deck Clearance" via radio before landing was initiated.
I would, after the event, if no lives were in danger, to make my way at max swimming speed to the boat and proceed, with extreme violence, to show the Capt. how an anchor works. JOKE!
I am sure they had "Deck Clearance" via radio before landing was initiated.
I would, after the event, if no lives were in danger, to make my way at max swimming speed to the boat and proceed, with extreme violence, to show the Capt. how an anchor works. JOKE!