N3 incident in India

[iuk1963]

Chopper catches fire at airport, 2 pilots injured - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Chopper-catches-fire-at-airport-2-pilots-injured/articleshow/7110596.cms)

CHANDIGARH: A Punjab government helicopter caught fire at the Chandigarh airport as it was preparing to take off from here on Thursday morning. Two pilots were injured.

The Dauphin N3 seven seater Pawan Hans helicopter was taxiing at the airport when it suddenly tilted and hit the ground before catching fire, official sources said.

The pilots managed to come out soon after but were injured in the process.

The helicopter, on lease from a private company, was to pick up Punjab industries minister Manorajan Kalia, who was scheduled to go on an official visit to Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district, from Rajindra Park here.

The DGCA had ordered an inquiry into the incident, the sources said.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot and defused the fire.

Police said the two pilots have been provided medical aid and one of them had been taken to hospital.

The aircraft was on lease with the state government for the last 14 years, an official said.

[SHortshaft]

Industry rumour suggest that ‘dynamic rollover’ was the most likely cause; taking a turn in the taxi way at relatively high speed.

Probably isn’t the first time that this has happened in the Dauphin and it probably won’t be the last.

[captchopper]

DGCA, India published this incident report yesterday. Kindly share your views how incidents like these happen...

http://dgca.nic.in/accident/reports/VT-SOK.pdf

[Epiphany]

I wonder if the pre-taxi brief to the PNF included the words 'If I need to lift-off engage the AP's?

[TipCap]

Having about 10,000 flying hours in the AS332L, dynamic rollover was stressed to us at all times. I had a few interesting moments in snow but never incipient dynamic rollover. It really sounds like DR and once it has started that is it. There is little one can do.

I wonder what Rule 160 was that is referred to in the Report referring to the Commanders Licence. Maybe someone can enlighten me

It is also interesting to see that both pilots had exactly the same flying hours experience as each other - to the minute :confused:

John

[John R81]

Detail here
DGCA safety audit slams Pawan Hans : India: India Today (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dgca-safety-audit-indicts-pawan-hans/1/140900.html)

Allows the centre to depart from the rules - for aircraft or pilots. I think on this occasion it relates to using military trained pilots who have not converted to civilian quals.

I liked this bit:

"After joining Pawan Hans, the pilots, who have flown single engine Chetak or Cheetah in Army, are upgraded to fly heavier machines like MI- 172. Further, these service officers may not have flown for years since they handle administrative jobs also, but are employed by the PSU and exposed to a conversion training of up to 15 hours, which is inadequate, cautioned a helicopter expert"

Though a spokesman for PHHL disagreed.