Japanese rescue machine crash

[heliduck]

[URL="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/05/at-least-3-dead-after-rescue-helicopter-crashes-in-central-japan.html[/URL]

[Bomber ARIS]

At least 3 dead after rescue helicopter crashes in central Japan (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/05/at-least-3-dead-after-rescue-helicopter-crashes-in-central-japan.html)

[onetrack]

The Bell 420EP has been reported as carrying nine persons. 3 are confirmed dead, two others were pulled unconscious from the wreckage, and the other 4 pax are believed to be deceased, buried under the wreckage.
The pilot is reported as a rotorwing veteran, having flown the same aircraft since 1997. A helicopter crash resulting in total inversion would appear to indicate substantial MR breakup.

3 confirmed dead, 2 rescued, 4 missing in Bell helicopter crash on Mt Hachibuse, Japan. (http://www.australianherald.com/index.php/sid/252205361)

[SilsoeSid]

One track;
A helicopter crash resulting in total inversion would appear to indicate substantial MR breakup.

That would be your opinion!
No report linked so far has said anything like that or indeed any other causal factor. The final positioning of an airframe cannot be used as a cause, especially if there are trees around.


More links and vid of crash site:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=193980

[Yamagata ken]

That's seven dead volunteer firemen from a small community. Everyone will be related to- or know the dead. RIP

[NRDK]

Another dark day for the global rescue services.

Given the surrounding tree damage the blades were on and going into the crash site.

R.I.P

[Viper 7]

So with the remains of the tail tucked in where they are, the machine might have been spinning...er...left on impact?


Of course when the MR hit the ground the fuselage might have torgued to the left (right from cockpit) when the rotors hit...surprisingly difficult to figure isn't it?


I can't remember seeing another heli crash with the wreckage inverted like this.


We all think tail rotor right away (esp here in Canada after the Griffon 420 crash) but it was in the mountains, which can be sinister and malevolent even in light winds. 9 pax with their FF gear and a full load of fuel turning downwind below TL in downdraft...? Been in similar in a 412. Not fun.


The video from the pax will tell a lot I imagine.


RIP lads.

[Vertical Freedom]

Rest in Peace Brothers....another sad day

[onetrack]

All 9 pax on this Bell 420EP have been confirmed as deceased, and all the names of the victims have been released.

Japan Today - all 9 aboard crashed Nagano rescue chopper confirmed dead (https://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/all-9-aboard-confirmed-dead-after-nagano-rescue-chopper-crash)

[malabo]

What is a Bell 420EP that all the professionals on this group keep referring to? I'm familiar with the 412EP but have never heard of a 420. Wouldn't be the first thing I was wrong about.

[onetrack]

My apologies, the Bell model number was incorrectly initially stated by me, due to a brain fart, and a lack of proofreading - and I repeated it without cross-checking. The correct Bell model number is 412EP.