Heli down in Finke (Incl pics)
Heli down in Finke
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Close enough to know
ABC Report (Tuesday 9.05am)
ALICE SPINGS
"Emergency landing prompts safety investigation"
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating an emergency helicopter landing at the Finke Desert Race in central Australia yesterday afternoon.
The helicopter was carrying a paramedic and injured race competitors when it suffered engine failure about seven kilometres from Alice Springs Airport.
The pilot was able to safely land the chopper and no-one suffered any further injuries in the incident.
The safety bureau has not sent any investigators to the site and is waiting for a report from the helicopter's operator before filing a report on the incident.
ALICE SPINGS
"Emergency landing prompts safety investigation"
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating an emergency helicopter landing at the Finke Desert Race in central Australia yesterday afternoon.
The helicopter was carrying a paramedic and injured race competitors when it suffered engine failure about seven kilometres from Alice Springs Airport.
The pilot was able to safely land the chopper and no-one suffered any further injuries in the incident.
The safety bureau has not sent any investigators to the site and is waiting for a report from the helicopter's operator before filing a report on the incident.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
Finke is 113nm south east of Alice Springs
25 36.00 S
134 34.00 E
From the finke desert Race website...
The Tattersalls Finke Desert Race is arguably Australia’s premier off road racing event. It has built a compelling reputation over 29 years as being both challenging and pure excitement. “The Finke” as it is known, is now one of the biggest annual sporting events in the Northern Territory. It is recognised as the richest Off Road Race in the Southern Hemisphere with the added reputation of being one of the most difficult courses in one of the most remote places in the world.
The Finke is a unique event in that it enables people of all walks of life to become involved. Rarely would you find an event that has 400 competitors racing over a 460km course that is open to all comers. It really is the most fun you can have with a helmet on!
The race started in 1976 as a “there and back” challenge for a group of local motorbike riders to race from Alice Springs to Finke and return. Finke was a small community on the Old Ghan railway line situated about 230kms south of Alice Springs. After the success of this initial ride, the Finke Desert Race was born and it has been held annually on the Queens Birthday weekend ever since.
The race is run along sections of what was the Old Ghan Railway service track adjacent to the railway line along a winding corrugated track, which snakes through typical outback terrain of red dirt, sand, spinifex, mulga and desert oaks. Even though the railway was realigned and rebuilt in the early 80’s, with the old tracks being pulled up, the race continues along its original course.
Whilst originally the Finke was only a bike race, it’s increasing popularity saw the inevitable introduction of cars and off road buggies in 1988. A fierce rivalry developed between the two and four wheelers, as the buggies were keen to claim the holy grail of the race – outright winner. For 11 consecutive years the bikes were too quick for the cars despite constantly narrowing the gap. Finally in 1999, a buggy came home first to claim the money. With the bikes winning back the title in 2000 and 2001, the rivalry is as intense as ever.
hope this helps Rotor1
25 36.00 S
134 34.00 E
From the finke desert Race website...
The Tattersalls Finke Desert Race is arguably Australia’s premier off road racing event. It has built a compelling reputation over 29 years as being both challenging and pure excitement. “The Finke” as it is known, is now one of the biggest annual sporting events in the Northern Territory. It is recognised as the richest Off Road Race in the Southern Hemisphere with the added reputation of being one of the most difficult courses in one of the most remote places in the world.
The Finke is a unique event in that it enables people of all walks of life to become involved. Rarely would you find an event that has 400 competitors racing over a 460km course that is open to all comers. It really is the most fun you can have with a helmet on!
The race started in 1976 as a “there and back” challenge for a group of local motorbike riders to race from Alice Springs to Finke and return. Finke was a small community on the Old Ghan railway line situated about 230kms south of Alice Springs. After the success of this initial ride, the Finke Desert Race was born and it has been held annually on the Queens Birthday weekend ever since.
The race is run along sections of what was the Old Ghan Railway service track adjacent to the railway line along a winding corrugated track, which snakes through typical outback terrain of red dirt, sand, spinifex, mulga and desert oaks. Even though the railway was realigned and rebuilt in the early 80’s, with the old tracks being pulled up, the race continues along its original course.
Whilst originally the Finke was only a bike race, it’s increasing popularity saw the inevitable introduction of cars and off road buggies in 1988. A fierce rivalry developed between the two and four wheelers, as the buggies were keen to claim the holy grail of the race – outright winner. For 11 consecutive years the bikes were too quick for the cars despite constantly narrowing the gap. Finally in 1999, a buggy came home first to claim the money. With the bikes winning back the title in 2000 and 2001, the rivalry is as intense as ever.
hope this helps Rotor1
I'll get me coat......
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 537
Likes: 22
From: Gold Coast, Australia.
Here's the story,
We had two Bell 206 aircraft working on the Finke Desert Race, one in a media role and the other in a medivac role.
At this stage it appears the engine to main rotor transmission driveshaft on the medivac aircraft broke at the transmission end of the shaft. Bear in mind the driveshaft has only been sent away for examination today so why it broke is yet to be determined.
The pilot has done an amazing job. He managed to put the aircraft down with minimal impact damage after avoiding disused telegraph lines and has even gone to the trouble of missing all the trees and shrubs as well! The pics below will give you an idea of the terrain, whilst not mountainous or heavily wooded, the larger trees will still ruin your day at the end of an auto!
Cheers,
Hollywood
We had two Bell 206 aircraft working on the Finke Desert Race, one in a media role and the other in a medivac role.
At this stage it appears the engine to main rotor transmission driveshaft on the medivac aircraft broke at the transmission end of the shaft. Bear in mind the driveshaft has only been sent away for examination today so why it broke is yet to be determined.
The pilot has done an amazing job. He managed to put the aircraft down with minimal impact damage after avoiding disused telegraph lines and has even gone to the trouble of missing all the trees and shrubs as well! The pics below will give you an idea of the terrain, whilst not mountainous or heavily wooded, the larger trees will still ruin your day at the end of an auto!
Cheers,
Hollywood
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 1
From: UK
Thanks to Rotor1 for describing the Race
and
to Capt Hollywood for the info and pictures.
Well done the pilot.
The race sounds like fantastic fun.
Here's a picture of one of the competitors
- taken by NT police!
Car 1181 approaching Deep Well at 195 kph
For British and American members, 195 kph = 121 mph!
First Quad across the line on Day 2
First bike across the line on Day 2
Good to see police speed guns being put to good use.
and
to Capt Hollywood for the info and pictures.
Well done the pilot.
The race sounds like fantastic fun.
Here's a picture of one of the competitors
- taken by NT police!
Car 1181 approaching Deep Well at 195 kph
For British and American members, 195 kph = 121 mph!
First Quad across the line on Day 2
First bike across the line on Day 2
Good to see police speed guns being put to good use.
Senis Semper Fidelis
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 0
From: Lancashire U K
If that pilot can get to Sydney within the next three weeks my eldest son will buy him a pint and I will hire him to fly my son around, with skill like we see in that placement of the 206 in those pictures even my wife would feel safe with him,
Well done Pilot, what a guy!!
Peter R-B
Well done Pilot, what a guy!!
Peter R-B
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
Terrific job by Guy: no wonder he had a few bevvies that night 
Especially as he was 500 feet inbound to the Alice, with 4 injured bike riders on board. Bet they had second thoughts when bits of drive shaft started whirling around a foot above their heads, and the trees started getting bigger
Especially as he was 500 feet inbound to the Alice, with 4 injured bike riders on board. Bet they had second thoughts when bits of drive shaft started whirling around a foot above their heads, and the trees started getting bigger
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Oz
Guy you old son of a gun! Well done, top effort.
I noticed you put it next to a great tree to get some shade while you waited for Hollywood to show up with the camera and even next to some telephone wires so you could call for the taxi to take you to the pub, Good thinking!
Have a well deserved beer mate
I noticed you put it next to a great tree to get some shade while you waited for Hollywood to show up with the camera and even next to some telephone wires so you could call for the taxi to take you to the pub, Good thinking!
Have a well deserved beer mate
Last edited by Helisurfer; 17th June 2004 at 05:45.
