Yeah, I’m surprised it took this long for someone to mention it here.
Every time I look at the shrapnel that was once a 6’ x 4’ x 1/8” aluminium sign I wonder how on earth the blades stayed in one piece.
For some reason the AAIB team wanted to pay a visit to the scene (despite no injuries) and were in great praise of the helicopters ability to take such a beating with only any real damage limited to the blades. Even after eating the sign which included a 1˝ “ galvanised steel L section bar the blades remained straight and true if not a little worse for wear aft of the main spar.
At least they didn’t have to worry about the sign hitting the tail rotor as it doesn’t have one!!!!
My hats off to the crew who got her down that last 10 feet and the speedy recovery of the cab by the maintenance crew on a Sunday night.
Dr A