Helicopter crash off Cape Point
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Helicopter crash off Cape Point
Just heard an unconfirmed report that a helicopter crashed in the vicinity of Cape Point.....
Can anyone confirm this?Any injuries??
Can anyone confirm this?Any injuries??
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Re: Helicopter crash off Cape Point
Unconfirmed.....heli crashed in front of restaurant at cape point 500m into the sea...divers are looking...no survivors....no helicopter....
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Re: Helicopter crash off Cape Point
Radio news report states that it is civilian, not military. Must have been on a pleasure flight around the peninsular.
Definitely not the Huey, just saw it fly past five minutes ago.
Thinking of the crew and pax family.
Definitely not the Huey, just saw it fly past five minutes ago.
Thinking of the crew and pax family.
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Re: Helicopter crash off Cape Point
Reports say is was a R22, body recovered, student of a training institution.....Very Sad indeed. Condolences to the families!
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Re: Helicopter crash off Cape Point
Is it common practice for students on solo flights to fly along the coast in Cape Town? Don't know the area so do not know where the GFA is or what sort of routing students get for Nav exercises?
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Re: Helicopter crash off Cape Point
Before we start the speculation about student pilots, media reports (we all know how skewed they can be) and flight paths, none of the above has been confirmed.
The information at hand is that a pilot has died on our doorstep. Out of respect for the families, operators and friends, let's keep the speculation managed until the facts emerge.
HP
The information at hand is that a pilot has died on our doorstep. Out of respect for the families, operators and friends, let's keep the speculation managed until the facts emerge.
HP
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Re: Helicopter crash off Cape Point
News24: 17/01/2006 12:42 - (SA)
Helicopter crashes off Cape Point
Cape Town - A civilian helicopter crashed off the coast at Cape Point on Tuesday, rescue authorities said.
Metro emergency doctor Wayne Smith said divers from the South African Navy, police and metro emergency services were preparing to enter the water near Buffels Bay, Cape Point after debris was spotted.
"Seats and papers have come to the surface," said Smith, adding details were sketchy and that a Skymed helicopter was at the scene.
Meanwhile, Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre, said two or three naval vessels were in the area helping with the search.
"The airforce was busy with a search and rescue exercise this morning, that's why all the facilities are there but it's definitely not a military helicopter, it's a civilian helicopter."
Smit said the helicopter was presumed to be a two-seater Robertson 22, which usually carried two crew.
Cape Town - A civilian helicopter crashed off the coast at Cape Point on Tuesday, rescue authorities said.
Metro emergency doctor Wayne Smith said divers from the South African Navy, police and metro emergency services were preparing to enter the water near Buffels Bay, Cape Point after debris was spotted.
"Seats and papers have come to the surface," said Smith, adding details were sketchy and that a Skymed helicopter was at the scene.
Meanwhile, Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre, said two or three naval vessels were in the area helping with the search.
"The airforce was busy with a search and rescue exercise this morning, that's why all the facilities are there but it's definitely not a military helicopter, it's a civilian helicopter."
Smit said the helicopter was presumed to be a two-seater Robertson 22, which usually carried two crew.
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News24: 17/01/2006 13:32 - (SA)
Copter crash: 1 person on board
Cape Town - Rescue authorities said on Tuesday that a civilian helicopter which crashed near Cape Point belonged to Starlite Aviation.
"It does belong to Starlite Aviation. Information from the Civil Aviation Authority said that only one person was on board," said Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.
Staff at Starlite, which is headquartered in Durban but also operates from Cape Town International Airport, did not want to confirm that the helicopter belonged to them.
The personal assistant to Starlite chief executive officer Barry Duss said he had gone into an "emergency meeting" and would be available later for comment.
Earlier on Tuesday, authorities confirmed the civilian helicopter crashed near Buffels Bay.
Divers from the South African Navy, police and metro emergency services were preparing to enter the water after debris was spotted floating on the surface.
Smit said two or three naval vessels were in the area helping with the search.
"The airforce was busy with a search and rescue exercise this morning, that's why all the facilities are there but it's definitely not a military helicopter, it's a civilian helicopter."
Smit said the helicopter was presumed to be a two-seater Robertson 22.
Cape Town - Rescue authorities said on Tuesday that a civilian helicopter which crashed near Cape Point belonged to Starlite Aviation.
"It does belong to Starlite Aviation. Information from the Civil Aviation Authority said that only one person was on board," said Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.
Staff at Starlite, which is headquartered in Durban but also operates from Cape Town International Airport, did not want to confirm that the helicopter belonged to them.
The personal assistant to Starlite chief executive officer Barry Duss said he had gone into an "emergency meeting" and would be available later for comment.
Earlier on Tuesday, authorities confirmed the civilian helicopter crashed near Buffels Bay.
Divers from the South African Navy, police and metro emergency services were preparing to enter the water after debris was spotted floating on the surface.
Smit said two or three naval vessels were in the area helping with the search.
"The airforce was busy with a search and rescue exercise this morning, that's why all the facilities are there but it's definitely not a military helicopter, it's a civilian helicopter."
Smit said the helicopter was presumed to be a two-seater Robertson 22.
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Chopper Crash a Sensitive issue
My Sincere condolences to friends, family and Starlite Helicopters.
Chopper Crash a Sensitive issue
Cape Town - The civilian helicopter crash near Cape Point on Tuesday was a "very sensitive issue", according to the company which operated the aircraft.
"At this stage we can't confirm anything because it's still under investigation... The aircraft was not owned by Starlite Aviation but was operated by Starlite," said chief executive Barry Duff.
Duff said he was unaware of the circumstances which led to the crash, and was awaiting a final report from investigators and emergency personnel before commenting further.
Divers from various agencies were on Tuesday afternoon still trying to recover the body of the only pilot on board at the time of the crash near Buffels Bay.
Debris from the crash, including paper and cockpit seats, were seen floating near the site.
South African Navy vessels, coincidentally in the area for a search and rescue operation, were assisting the search for the body of the unnamed pilot.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the pilot was still in training during the solo flight.
The aircraft which went down was a two-seater Robertson 22.
"At this stage we can't confirm anything because it's still under investigation... The aircraft was not owned by Starlite Aviation but was operated by Starlite," said chief executive Barry Duff.
Duff said he was unaware of the circumstances which led to the crash, and was awaiting a final report from investigators and emergency personnel before commenting further.
Divers from various agencies were on Tuesday afternoon still trying to recover the body of the only pilot on board at the time of the crash near Buffels Bay.
Debris from the crash, including paper and cockpit seats, were seen floating near the site.
South African Navy vessels, coincidentally in the area for a search and rescue operation, were assisting the search for the body of the unnamed pilot.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the pilot was still in training during the solo flight.
The aircraft which went down was a two-seater Robertson 22.
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Body Recovered
Well at least the body has been recovered ..
CAPE TOWN
Helicopter crash: Body found
Sapa and staff reporter
Tue, 17 Jan 2006
The body of the pilot involved in this morning's helicopter crash off Cape Point has been found. It is understood a lone trainee pilot was at the helm before the chopper crashed, according to 702 Eyewitness News.
Rescue authorities said on Tuesday that a civilian helicopter which crashed near Cape Point belonged to Starlite Aviation, reported Sapa.
"It does belong to Starlite Aviation. Information from the Civil Aviation Authority said that only one person was on board," said Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.
Staff at Starlite, which is headquartered in Durban but also operates from Cape Town International Airport, did not want to confirm that the helicopter belonged to them.
The personal assistant to Starlite chief executive officer Barry Duss (DUFF Gen MATE) said he had gone into an "emergency meeting" and would be available later for comment.
Earlier on Tuesday, authorities confirmed the civilian helicopter crashed near Buffels Bay.
Divers from the South African Navy, police and metro emergency services were preparing to enter the water after debris was spotted floating on the surface.
Smit said two or three naval vessels were in the area helping with the search.
"The airforce was busy with a search and rescue exercise this morning, that's why all the facilities are there, but it's definitely not a military helicopter, it's a civilian helicopter."
Smit said the helicopter was presumed to be a two-seater Robertson 22.
Helicopter crash: Body found
Sapa and staff reporter
Tue, 17 Jan 2006
The body of the pilot involved in this morning's helicopter crash off Cape Point has been found. It is understood a lone trainee pilot was at the helm before the chopper crashed, according to 702 Eyewitness News.
Rescue authorities said on Tuesday that a civilian helicopter which crashed near Cape Point belonged to Starlite Aviation, reported Sapa.
"It does belong to Starlite Aviation. Information from the Civil Aviation Authority said that only one person was on board," said Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.
Staff at Starlite, which is headquartered in Durban but also operates from Cape Town International Airport, did not want to confirm that the helicopter belonged to them.
The personal assistant to Starlite chief executive officer Barry Duss (DUFF Gen MATE) said he had gone into an "emergency meeting" and would be available later for comment.
Earlier on Tuesday, authorities confirmed the civilian helicopter crashed near Buffels Bay.
Divers from the South African Navy, police and metro emergency services were preparing to enter the water after debris was spotted floating on the surface.
Smit said two or three naval vessels were in the area helping with the search.
"The airforce was busy with a search and rescue exercise this morning, that's why all the facilities are there, but it's definitely not a military helicopter, it's a civilian helicopter."
Smit said the helicopter was presumed to be a two-seater Robertson 22.
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Just filched this off reporter.co.za !!
Chopper crashes off Cape Point
Eyewitnesses see craft plunge into water and disappear in seconds
By Lauren Maker-Kotoglu
It was not just another day for Luthando Mase, a baboon monitor at Cape Point Nature Reserve. His job is to make sure that the baboons don't interfere with the thousands of tourists that visit the Cape of Good Hope daily. But on this hot and humid day Luthando witnessed something out of the ordinary. He saw a helicopter crash into the sea.
Managing a guesthouse just a few kilometers away, I heard siren after siren pass by. I quickly called the Two Oceans restaurant to find out what was going on. Everyone was still in shock and explained that a helicopter had crashed right before their eyes. I grabbed my camera and notebook and jumped into the car.
At approximately 10.30am this morning Luthando and his fellow colleagues were chatting and watching two helicopters fly over the sea just about 200 metres off Rooikrans, Cape Point Nature Reserve. Mase explained that they seem to be flying together. One was a Naval Helicopter and the other was a small two-seater helicopter. The smaller chopper suddenly flipped over twice and crashed into the sea. Luthando immediately radioed to the control room and explained what happened.
Another eyewitness Jenny Christie from Wiltshire, UK, said she was about to tuck into her lunch when she saw the chopper flip over and lose control heading cockpit first into the ocean. She watched the cockpit fill up with water in a matter on seconds before the aircraft disappeared below the ocean. She also commented on how quick the rescue team was out and about scanning the area for any survivors.
The police and rescue team had set up a Joint Rescue Centre where they all worked together trying to work out what caused this tragedy. Divers from the South Africa Navy said that while they were preparing to enter the water that they had seen debris floating on the surface.
Chopper crashes off Cape Point
Eyewitnesses see craft plunge into water and disappear in seconds
By Lauren Maker-Kotoglu
It was not just another day for Luthando Mase, a baboon monitor at Cape Point Nature Reserve. His job is to make sure that the baboons don't interfere with the thousands of tourists that visit the Cape of Good Hope daily. But on this hot and humid day Luthando witnessed something out of the ordinary. He saw a helicopter crash into the sea.
Managing a guesthouse just a few kilometers away, I heard siren after siren pass by. I quickly called the Two Oceans restaurant to find out what was going on. Everyone was still in shock and explained that a helicopter had crashed right before their eyes. I grabbed my camera and notebook and jumped into the car.
At approximately 10.30am this morning Luthando and his fellow colleagues were chatting and watching two helicopters fly over the sea just about 200 metres off Rooikrans, Cape Point Nature Reserve. Mase explained that they seem to be flying together. One was a Naval Helicopter and the other was a small two-seater helicopter. The smaller chopper suddenly flipped over twice and crashed into the sea. Luthando immediately radioed to the control room and explained what happened.
Another eyewitness Jenny Christie from Wiltshire, UK, said she was about to tuck into her lunch when she saw the chopper flip over and lose control heading cockpit first into the ocean. She watched the cockpit fill up with water in a matter on seconds before the aircraft disappeared below the ocean. She also commented on how quick the rescue team was out and about scanning the area for any survivors.
The police and rescue team had set up a Joint Rescue Centre where they all worked together trying to work out what caused this tragedy. Divers from the South Africa Navy said that while they were preparing to enter the water that they had seen debris floating on the surface.
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Originally Posted by Spetsnaz
At approximately 10.30am this morning Luthando and his fellow colleagues were chatting and watching two helicopters fly over the sea just about 200 metres off Rooikrans, Cape Point Nature Reserve. Mase explained that they seem to be flying together. One was a Naval Helicopter and the other was a small two-seater helicopter. The smaller chopper suddenly flipped over twice and crashed into the sea. Luthando immediately radioed to the control room and explained what happened.
NAVAL helicopter ?
On KFM at 1730 they said that the divers could see the wreck and will bring it up tomorrow.
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Crashed helicopter's wreckage found
CAPE TOWN
Crashed helicopter's wreckage found
Tue, 17 Jan 2006
Divers have located the wreckage of a civilian helicopter which went down on Tuesday near Cape Point, and the trainee pilot still appeared strapped in, rescue personnel said.
"The plan is to recover the body today (Tuesday). We have the position of the wreckage and are diving on the aircraft. It appears as if the pilot was still trapped inside the wreckage," said Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.
Smit said divers wanted to remove the airframe on Wednesday.
The trainee pilot could not be positively identified yet, but unconfirmed reports suggested he was a man from Cape Town in his 40s.
Earlier, sophisticated sonar equipment was delivered to the crash site off Buffels Bay in a bid to locate the wreckage and the pilot, the only person on board.
The "side scan sonar" helped X-ray the bottom of the seabed, about 20 metres underwater, said Darren Zimmerman of the National Sea Rescue Institute.
He said a 20-knot westerly wind was blowing, and water currents could shift the wreck.
The two-seater helicopter which crashed was the popular Robinson 22, operated by Starlite Aviation.
An employee at Starlite Aviation, who wanted to remain anonymous, said trainee pilots received on average 15 to 25 hours of training with an instructor before being allowed to fly solo.
The company's chief executive, Barry Duff, (They Got it right now) did not want to divulge the pilot's identity or any other information, saying it was "very sensitive issue".
"At this stage we can't confirm anything because it's still under investigation... The aircraft was not owned by Starlite Aviation but was operated by Starlite," said Duff.
He said he was unaware of the circumstances which led to the crash, and was awaiting a final report from investigators and emergency personnel before commenting further.
Earlier on Tuesday, debris from the crash, including paper and cockpit seats, were seen floating near the site.
South African Navy vessels, coincidentally in the area for a search and rescue operation, were assisting the search for the body.
The Robinson helicopters are among the world's best-selling civilian piston-powered helicopters.
Sapa
Crashed helicopter's wreckage found
Tue, 17 Jan 2006
Divers have located the wreckage of a civilian helicopter which went down on Tuesday near Cape Point, and the trainee pilot still appeared strapped in, rescue personnel said.
"The plan is to recover the body today (Tuesday). We have the position of the wreckage and are diving on the aircraft. It appears as if the pilot was still trapped inside the wreckage," said Jacques Smit of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centre.
Smit said divers wanted to remove the airframe on Wednesday.
The trainee pilot could not be positively identified yet, but unconfirmed reports suggested he was a man from Cape Town in his 40s.
Earlier, sophisticated sonar equipment was delivered to the crash site off Buffels Bay in a bid to locate the wreckage and the pilot, the only person on board.
The "side scan sonar" helped X-ray the bottom of the seabed, about 20 metres underwater, said Darren Zimmerman of the National Sea Rescue Institute.
He said a 20-knot westerly wind was blowing, and water currents could shift the wreck.
The two-seater helicopter which crashed was the popular Robinson 22, operated by Starlite Aviation.
An employee at Starlite Aviation, who wanted to remain anonymous, said trainee pilots received on average 15 to 25 hours of training with an instructor before being allowed to fly solo.
The company's chief executive, Barry Duff, (They Got it right now) did not want to divulge the pilot's identity or any other information, saying it was "very sensitive issue".
"At this stage we can't confirm anything because it's still under investigation... The aircraft was not owned by Starlite Aviation but was operated by Starlite," said Duff.
He said he was unaware of the circumstances which led to the crash, and was awaiting a final report from investigators and emergency personnel before commenting further.
Earlier on Tuesday, debris from the crash, including paper and cockpit seats, were seen floating near the site.
South African Navy vessels, coincidentally in the area for a search and rescue operation, were assisting the search for the body.
The Robinson helicopters are among the world's best-selling civilian piston-powered helicopters.
Sapa
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Im not one to fall for most of the sensationalist bulltwang written by journo's when it comes to Aviation reporting.
BUT-One question raises its head here. They report that the choppers were flying together....very interesting. It brings me to a slightly off topic aerodynamic question.
Could any of the chopper boys explain to a non-flinging-wing boy, what kind of downwash/induced vortices one chopper flying near by another could cause, and could it hypothetically bring another helo down?
If there is any offence at this question being asked here, I will remove it ASAP-just say so
BUT-One question raises its head here. They report that the choppers were flying together....very interesting. It brings me to a slightly off topic aerodynamic question.
Could any of the chopper boys explain to a non-flinging-wing boy, what kind of downwash/induced vortices one chopper flying near by another could cause, and could it hypothetically bring another helo down?
If there is any offence at this question being asked here, I will remove it ASAP-just say so
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Originally Posted by I.R.PIRATE
Could any of the chopper boys explain to a non-flinging-wing boy, what kind of downwash/induced vortices one chopper flying near by another could cause, and could it hypothetically bring another helo down?
Pirate to answer your question I will make use of one example. I once did a recce for the UN and then landed on an old runway in West Africa.
I blasted the local pop and when the UN came with their Mi-26 a brick was flung up by the MI-26 blade wash and severly injured a troop that was in an area he should not be !
If it was a fellow R22 next to him - no waise !
If it was a Frelon - for sure his rotor wash could have taken him out.
Again speculation due to possible bad reporting on a second helo and if you feel it to be offensive. Report to the mods and they will delete the post at their discretion.
Cheers
Gunss
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IRP
That could be a problem, but it would require that they both occupy air space which would be extremely close. Given that there would have been two in the drink, Im sure.
Give it a day or so and lets see what the basic facts tell us.
I do remember times of overlapping rotors in Hueys, but that was in another life.
That could be a problem, but it would require that they both occupy air space which would be extremely close. Given that there would have been two in the drink, Im sure.
Give it a day or so and lets see what the basic facts tell us.
I do remember times of overlapping rotors in Hueys, but that was in another life.
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Formation flying in a helicopter is done in the opposite way than fixed wing aircraft. the helicopter formating on the other sits higher than the "leader". Even when you are formating on a much bigger helicopter or bigger helicopter on you, with a much stronger downwash than your own, it will not interfere with the flying characteristics of your helicopter, unless you are in the hover. The forward speed blows the downwash away from the helicopter that you are formating on.
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Originally Posted by LOAC
Formation flying in a helicopter is done in the opposite way than fixed wing aircraft. the helicopter formating on the other sits higher than the "leader". Even when you are formating on a much bigger helicopter or bigger helicopter on you, with a much stronger downwash than your own, it will not interfere with the flying characteristics of your helicopter, unless you are in the hover. The forward speed blows the downwash away from the helicopter that you are formating on.
Gunss