View Full Version : Geelong Helicopter accident Waterfront 6/1/18
wheels_down
6th Jan 2019, 04:42
9 News claims Geelong Helicopter undershot the pad on landing and ended up in the drink this afternoon. Nobody Injured. VH-HYX Robinson R44 Raven
Lead Balloon
6th Jan 2019, 08:33
A year ago?
Ascend Charlie
6th Jan 2019, 08:59
R44 takes a long time to sink...
onehitwonder
6th Jan 2019, 09:47
Safe outcome due to having fixed floats
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x960/49573212_10217292981611548_1492727815143948288_n_bf9c437a869 b18ff8f8900566a8146ea26578fc4.jpg
gulliBell
6th Jan 2019, 11:17
Safe outcome due to having fixed floats
Fixed floats? Since when did fixed floats result in the heli-belly sitting in salt water?
I'd suggest they are emergency pop-out floats.
Squawk7700
6th Jan 2019, 21:01
Fixed floats? Since when did fixed floats result in the heli-belly sitting in salt water?
I'd suggest they are emergency pop-out floats.
I was thinking the same thing until I googled fixed floats on a 44 and found our cousins at Rotorheads discussed this a while back.
https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/555626-r44-floats.html?styleid=18
https://ua.all.biz/en/the-robinson-r44-clipper-i-helicopter-with-the-g13558942
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x533/68_712a1c0b3f62302afcabd702d472cb201afb49e3.jpg
Kulwin Park
6th Jan 2019, 21:09
Fixed floats? Since when did fixed floats result in the heli-belly sitting in salt water?
I'd suggest they are emergency pop-out floats.
No, they re fixed floats on that machine. I have seen it.
But what looks scary is the fact that the rotors look to be running in that pic (blades are straight), and the tail rotor looks awfully close to those rocks!!!!
gulliBell
6th Jan 2019, 23:14
In that case I'm very surprised a fixed float STC that by design has the helicopter sitting in salt water would get approved (BTW I'm a fixed float qualified helicopter pilot, just not on the robo-flimsycopter).
gulliBell
6th Jan 2019, 23:17
..But what looks scary is the fact that the rotors look to be running in that pic (blades are straight), and the tail rotor looks awfully close to those rocks!!!!
It would be even scarier trying to start it that close to those rocks.
gulliBell
6th Jan 2019, 23:34
From the RFM...
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/536x172/screen_shot_2019_01_07_at_08_30_24_8bc55fd02d553f799a206e1c9 e44cfd3e8776472.png
and this....
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/489x146/screen_shot_2019_01_07_at_08_33_11_30c46847eaae0c293159bee27 77f85311420122b.png
The floats are NOT CERTIFIED FOR DITCHING...seriously, am I missing something here???
gulliBell
7th Jan 2019, 00:41
I'm curious to find out what they were doing. Assuming the engine is running and producing power. Never in my wildest dreams would I believe anybody would do float training on salt water.
PoppaJo
7th Jan 2019, 01:59
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x810/32ffbccc_e687_4144_ac52_08034c3905f6_dc5c912e53446f201dbce4a bade3ea40a3b51e35.jpeg
gulliBell
7th Jan 2019, 03:14
Somebody obviously knows something. Nobody is saying anything.
From the RFM...
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/536x172/screen_shot_2019_01_07_at_08_30_24_8bc55fd02d553f799a206e1c9 e44cfd3e8776472.png
The floats are NOT CERTIFIED FOR DITCHING...seriously, am I missing something here???
I would love to see a couple QCs argue the purpose of these floats after the event.
voando
7th Jan 2019, 08:42
It's probably the Ozzie equivalent of a Tuk-Tuk, Rickshaw - the Wobby Water Taxi?
gulliBell
7th Jan 2019, 10:30
I wonder if the WWT offers discount for BYO gaffa tape? Would taping it up i.a.w the RFM to minimize the risk of sinking it during fixed float training be permitted pilot maintenance, or would it require a mechanic to do it and sign it off in the technical log?
krypton_john
7th Jan 2019, 18:16
You would call them "fixed emergency floats" then?
And now ask yourself what the outcome would have been if the aircraft didn’t have those floats. In an emergency any device that safes your a.. is a usefull device.
Eyes only
7th Jan 2019, 20:00
I would love to see a couple QCs argue the purpose of these floats after the event.
Many airliners do not have slide rafts at all doors, they may just have slides at some doors. Those slides are not certified for ditching, however in an emergency they can be used as a flotation aide.
I would suggest these emergency flotation devices have not been certified, meaning they have not gone through through the full process, however as is evidenced here they can be a meaningful safety aide in some situations. In other situations they may not have the strength to support the water impact.
heliduck
8th Jan 2019, 19:47
I know of an R44 which landed in knee deep water in the Kimberley’s during a flood evacuation years ago & that’s where it stayed as the engine sucked water up through the air cleaner. Once it was back on dry ground it was found that the seal around the filter wasn’t quite up to scratch. Looking at those photos of the machine sitting in the water I’d be worried about getting back off the water again, which makes the floats a single use item in my books!