SAAF Helo down

[rudder hard over]

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

[Irene]

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.

[rudder hard over]

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