R-22/PA-28 collision in Florida, September 2017 - lucky escape!
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R-22/PA-28 collision in Florida, September 2017 - lucky escape!
This happened last September at Clearwater Air Park, incredibly lucky to walk away!
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NTSB Accident report
The private pilot aboard the airplane received minor injuries, and the flight instructor and a pilot-rated student aboard the helicopter were not injured. Both aircraft were owned and operated by Tampa Bay Aviation
According to the pilot of the airplane, he was operating on the CLW common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), and stated that between his first and second radio transmission he heard a heavy buzzing sound like a helicopter rotor with the words "34" barely distinguishable. The pilot scaned for air traffic and declared being on downwind via his radio. The pilot quickly turned to the base leg of the traffic pattern and decreased the engine power to descend. About that time he quickly scanned of the airport environment, focusing on the taxiway to runway 34, the line of trees ahead of, as well as to the back of the runway, and saw nothing unusual. He was confident his calls on the radio were heard. The pilot proceeded to land; about 2 seconds prior to the impact he saw the helicopter hovering "immobile," about 10 ft. above the runway.
According to another pilot/witness that was approaching CLW, while about 2 miles west of the airport, he heard the radio call from the helicopter when it was on a 1-mile final at 500 ft. As he flew over CLW, he saw the accident outcome. He indicated that he was monitoring the CLW CTAF, and did not hear the pilot of the airplane announce his intentions.
According to the pilot of the airplane, he was operating on the CLW common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), and stated that between his first and second radio transmission he heard a heavy buzzing sound like a helicopter rotor with the words "34" barely distinguishable. The pilot scaned for air traffic and declared being on downwind via his radio. The pilot quickly turned to the base leg of the traffic pattern and decreased the engine power to descend. About that time he quickly scanned of the airport environment, focusing on the taxiway to runway 34, the line of trees ahead of, as well as to the back of the runway, and saw nothing unusual. He was confident his calls on the radio were heard. The pilot proceeded to land; about 2 seconds prior to the impact he saw the helicopter hovering "immobile," about 10 ft. above the runway.
According to another pilot/witness that was approaching CLW, while about 2 miles west of the airport, he heard the radio call from the helicopter when it was on a 1-mile final at 500 ft. As he flew over CLW, he saw the accident outcome. He indicated that he was monitoring the CLW CTAF, and did not hear the pilot of the airplane announce his intentions.
