Hoverman.
Sorry about the length of the reply. But these two extracts, taken a day apart show the advantage of TWO over ONE quite well. Not poking anything the American way, the CAA has a lot to learn from the FAA as well as the other way around. To be honest, if as a patient in need, I wouldn't care about 1,2 or 3 engines. But as a pilot I would. Some nice flying by the pilots concerned, well done.
NTSB Identification: SEA01LA085
Nonscheduled 14 CFRPart 135 operation of Air Taxi & Commuter Mercy Flights Inc.
Accident occurred Saturday, May 05, 2001 at Medford, OR
Aircraft:MBB BO-105C, registration: N105RH
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On May 5, 2001, approximately 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter (formerly Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm [MBB]) BO-105C helicopter, N105RH, registered to TL Forest Products, Inc. of Ashland, Oregon, and being operated by Mercy Flights Inc. of Medford, Oregon, on a 14 CFR 135 non-scheduled air ambulance flight, experienced a failure of the number 1 engine and fire in the number 1 engine compartment. The pilot landed the aircraft safely at the Medford, Oregon, airport, and the fire was extinguished by airport rescue/firefighting (ARFF) personnel. There were no injuries to the airline transport pilot-in-command, two crew members, or passenger/patient on board; however, the fire substantially damaged the helicopter. The accident sequence of events began shortly after the patient was picked up. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at Medford at 1656. The type of flight plan filed for the flight, if any, is currently unknown.
Preliminary information reported to the NTSB indicated that shortly after patient pickup, near the Medford airport, the number 1 engine lost power. The pilot continued to the airport on the number 2 engine. Approaching the airport, the Medford tower controller advised the pilot that the aircraft was trailing smoke; preliminary reports indicated that there was no fire warning in the cockpit associated with this report. The pilot subsequently landed the helicopter on taxiway A at the airport. The pilot then noted a fire warning. The aircraft occupants exited the helicopter without injury, and ARFF arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.
According to the FAA aircraft registry, the accident helicopter is equipped with two Rolls-Royce (formerly Allison) 250 series turboshaft engines. An inspector from the FAA's Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), who responded to the scene and performed an initial post-accident examination of the helicopter, reported to the NTSB that wet oil and combustion products were both present in the number 1 engine compartment, and that no oil was found in the number 1 engine oil tank. The inspector reported that the fuel lines to the number 1 engine appeared to be intact. He further stated that he found the push-pull control tubes for the main rotor melted where they run through or near the engine compartment.
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NTSB Identification: FTW01FA115
Nonscheduled 14 CFRPart 135 operation of Air Taxi & Commuter AIR LOGISTICS L L C
Accident occurred Friday, May 04, 2001 at Vermillion 44, GM
Aircraft:Bell 407, registration: N917AL
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On May 4, 2001, at 1613 central daylight time, a Bell 407 single-engine helicopter, N917AL, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power during a precautionary landing near the Vermillion 44 offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Air Logistics LLC, of New Iberia, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The helicopter departed the High Island 368 offshore platform at 1535, and was destined for Intercostal City, Louisiana.
According to the pilot's statement, while enroute from High Island 368 to Intercoastal City, a "slight vibration became noticeable." After a few minutes, the vibration became more pronounced, and was accompanied by a noise. During a precautionary landing to an offshore platform, engine power was lost. The pilot then initiated an autorotation to the water, deployed the skid floats, and landed safely.
Examination of the helicopter, after recovery by the operator, revealed that the K-flex drive shaft had fractured.