For the record, there is no mention that this was VR. The transcript attempts to invite Captain "11" to accept that it was INCIPIENT vortex ring (for a start, and not VRS), but doesn't get away with it. Capt "11" won't accept its VRS because the blackhawk isn't in the catchment zone for inducing VRS long enough.
To enter VRS you need not only low airspeed and a ROD>700'/min, but you need to become established in that zone before it takes hold - it isn't instantaneous and it most certainly isn't going to happen from 100' alongside the ship.
I have done hundreds of these approaches - taught them, flown them.
I have read the transcript carefully and my observations are this:
The blackhawk shot a "downwind" fast stop - into wind if you know what I mean. i.e. he finished up DOWNWIND. The a/c was heavy. Because of these two factors, as he rolled out experienced a descent, recognised it and corrected with collective (from an excessive nose up to combat the residual fwd g/s due to the tailwind) and drooped the Nr.
The rest as we say was history - The a/c continued to sink as it
settled with power and struck the deck.
One more comment: Capt 11 who was the co-jo on another blackhawk 800m behind stated:
(a) he didn't think a downwind component had any adverse affect on the manouevre.
(b) He also stated that 5 troops onboard weighing close to 1/2 tonne total were not a consideration either.
Get a grip lads - what sort of pilot can call himself a professional after making statements like this
