Two killed in crash (Mangalore/Aus)

[zhishengji751]

Two killed in Victorian gyrocopter crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-14/two-killed-in-victorian-gyrocopter-crash/3772784)

Two people have been killed in a gyrocopter crash north-east of Melbourne.

The wreckage was found near the Mangalore airport on Aerodrome Road.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman says two bodies have been found at the crash site.

A witness says that the aircraft crashed as it attempted to land.

ABC cameraman Patrick Rocca says the gyrocopter has broken up on impact.

"Basically the wreckage is in three or four different pieces," he said.

"There's what seems to be helicopter blade to one side. There's a piece of wreckage about 10 metres away from the main wreckage ... in four or five different pieces and flattened on the ground."

The victims have not been identified.

[ReverseFlight]

I google searched but no further news yet.

Very shocked, as I was a helicopter student there before it became utility oriented. I wonder if I know the pilots.

Very sad day. RIP.

[Ray Cronin]

We have received many calls from people concerned about the accident at Mangalore. We would like to confirm that it was a gyrocopter that was involved in the accident and not a helicopter and as such nothing to do with Kestrel. We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those involved.

Ray Cronin
Chief Pilot
Kestrel Aviation

[ReverseFlight]

Thanks Ray, good to hear from you.

I guess it's hard for the media or untrained eye to tell the difference between a gyrocopter and a helicopter. Here's a news video: Video - Chopper crash kills 2 - The Age (http://media.theage.com.au/?from=hpstrip)


http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/474238-chopper-crash-mangalore.html
Apparently the instructor was a long term and well respected Gyro guy so it will be a huge hit in the Gyro community.