Sea King stuck in the mountains
Join Date: Feb 2006
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The problem is that once the ice is on, its a bugger to get it off.
Correct, Tourist, as you'll see if you get to see the photo. The ice up there is industrial strength. With low ambient temperatures, windchill and precipitation it doesn't take long for several feet of clear blue to form. In my opinion very difficult to get off the frame safely, certainly not with an ice axe, maybe needs specialist help. However, to my original question, would it be feasible for the whole thing simply to be airlifted out when weather improves?
Correct, Tourist, as you'll see if you get to see the photo. The ice up there is industrial strength. With low ambient temperatures, windchill and precipitation it doesn't take long for several feet of clear blue to form. In my opinion very difficult to get off the frame safely, certainly not with an ice axe, maybe needs specialist help. However, to my original question, would it be feasible for the whole thing simply to be airlifted out when weather improves?
Join Date: Jul 2002
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At least the SAR bird at Gannet had the decency to be near a road when it had to RTB with a little help!
Full story; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4728170.stm
Abe
PS The Scottish Flag on the nose is also used as a maritime flag to indicate "I am stopped" - how apt!
Full story; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4728170.stm
Abe
PS The Scottish Flag on the nose is also used as a maritime flag to indicate "I am stopped" - how apt!
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Temp will get above zero in, er, April. My money's on the load lift, if we can scare up a Chinook, just as happened when recovering Gp Capt Al Hudson's Jag in October 1999 from the Moray Firth just off Lossie.
Gentleman Aviator
Originally Posted by str12
Get some of the SHAR/GR9 boys to hover over it for a while, that'll defrost it! 
...how long before WEBF comes along to tell us the SHAR is much better than the GR9 at defrosting Sea Kings so we shouldn't scrap it ......
Join Date: Feb 2006
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str12, it's a great idea, not sure how practical though, they'd have to find it first (ouch!). We could have the MR boys line up and point to it.
Beeb Scotland website's now reporting it mught be next week before a "heating kit" can be brought up from down south to do the job. My guess is by then it'll be gone completely under a 30ft snowdrift. If it's still there on Saturday I'm going to take a walk up to see it myself. We could have a new visitor attraction here, complete with Cairngorm Funicular Railway and ospreys at Loch Garten, the stranded sneeking.
Beeb Scotland website's now reporting it mught be next week before a "heating kit" can be brought up from down south to do the job. My guess is by then it'll be gone completely under a 30ft snowdrift. If it's still there on Saturday I'm going to take a walk up to see it myself. We could have a new visitor attraction here, complete with Cairngorm Funicular Railway and ospreys at Loch Garten, the stranded sneeking.
Use a Chinook to load lift it you say....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4762350.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4762350.stm
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Ho hum wub. However, not many flying rats in the Cairngorms this time of year so low risk. Hope they don't leave it too long, though, as the low flyers will soon prove a separate and more realistic threat in the green mountains, until the annual August 12th annhilation commences.
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Originally Posted by Brit55
Good effort guys,
good to see that 'pressonitis' is a condition we are seeing less and less of.
good to see that 'pressonitis' is a condition we are seeing less and less of.
Duck and cover
!
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Gawds struth it must be a slow news day. How many Bird strikes do we suffer each year...? Why has this one made it into the news? These happen all the time. Ive had lots of them...Went through a flock once and managed to splash 6 in a oner...that made the adrenilin flow...
Just to clarify a few points to all you doubters!!!
The incident was not the result of 'pressonitis'. The crew were caught by a sudden and particularly nasty snow shower reducing visibility to very little.
The winchman had already been deployed and stayed with the casualty, in those conditions, giving medical assistance for several hours.
Heated blades would not have helped. The aircraft was landed due to poor visibility and not icing. The crew stayed rotors running on the ground for a long time, waiting for a break in the weather so they could depart. Visibility during this time ranged from the rotor tip to about 200m at best. Only after this considerable period did the crew shut down. By this stage icing had become a problem.
Junglie/JHC heating kit is on it's way. We are not too proud to ask for help when it's needed and help has been cascading in to us.
If someone can tell me how to lift an aircraft out of that position then please PM me. Bear in mind all the blades will have to come off first. If the weather is good enough to do that then it will be good enough to fly out. At the moment the aircraft is fully serviceable (just a bit cold). However, lifting specialists are also on their way up and a Chinook is standing by to help if needed.
If anyone is considering taking a walk up to look at it then DON'T. Kinloss MRT are guarding it at considerable risk to themselves. Snow is up to neck level in places and it is currently avalanche risk 4 (out of 5). We are extremely concerned about 'rubber neckers' and if the aircraft is still there at the weekend I would not be suprised if there is another rescue to recover ill prepared walkers.
Thanks to Cairngorm MRT and Kinloss MRT who have been absolutely first class in looking after the guys (and girls) and the aircraft.
We owe you one.
The incident was not the result of 'pressonitis'. The crew were caught by a sudden and particularly nasty snow shower reducing visibility to very little.
The winchman had already been deployed and stayed with the casualty, in those conditions, giving medical assistance for several hours.
Heated blades would not have helped. The aircraft was landed due to poor visibility and not icing. The crew stayed rotors running on the ground for a long time, waiting for a break in the weather so they could depart. Visibility during this time ranged from the rotor tip to about 200m at best. Only after this considerable period did the crew shut down. By this stage icing had become a problem.
Junglie/JHC heating kit is on it's way. We are not too proud to ask for help when it's needed and help has been cascading in to us.
If someone can tell me how to lift an aircraft out of that position then please PM me. Bear in mind all the blades will have to come off first. If the weather is good enough to do that then it will be good enough to fly out. At the moment the aircraft is fully serviceable (just a bit cold). However, lifting specialists are also on their way up and a Chinook is standing by to help if needed.
If anyone is considering taking a walk up to look at it then DON'T. Kinloss MRT are guarding it at considerable risk to themselves. Snow is up to neck level in places and it is currently avalanche risk 4 (out of 5). We are extremely concerned about 'rubber neckers' and if the aircraft is still there at the weekend I would not be suprised if there is another rescue to recover ill prepared walkers.
Thanks to Cairngorm MRT and Kinloss MRT who have been absolutely first class in looking after the guys (and girls) and the aircraft.
We owe you one.
I'matightbastard
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Use a Chinook to load lift it you say....
Update here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4768116.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4768116.stm