Originally Posted by
gulliBell
Sudden stoppage when TR/MR hit water may have busted the TR driveshaft.
Cause and effect: wind shift and overcontrol of the Crane resulting in the tail rotor impacting the water and subsequent TRDS failure could explain the accident.
twinstar_ca, all aircrew must have a current HUET and also wear LSJ, helmet, etc on fire ops in Australia.
WRT the recovery and conjecture about lifting the wreck: all Aircranes on contract here are S64E models, there are no 64Fs used. The tank will no doubt have taken in plenty of water after the ditching so it will become a weight issue, and the altitude will also be a factor if aerial recovery becomes involved. It could be some time before recovery is attempted especially with worsening fire conditions today and later in the week. 40C+ temperatures are again forecast in the south east of Oz
