SAAF Helo down
 

Any one heard any further news on the Augusta 109 helo that ditched last week.

This is 3rd hand information, but supposedly comes from one of the drivers in the formation at the time: Low level formation op, doomed A109 descended low much lower than the others and hit the water at around 145 kts. Others broke off formation just before impact.

I normally don't like putting things down in writing from 3rd hand info, but the guy who related this story to me is not a bullsh1tter. I hope his source was genuine.

Whatever the causes/contributing factors were, the crew didn't wake up that morning and plan to do this - very sad for the SAAF and families.

Indeed, great loss. Some rumours speculating tail rotor failure. Suppose we shall find out the cause after investigation.