Helicopter Down Near Wollongong

[Flightsimman]

4 dead no other details.

[Flightsimman]

From SMH.com.au

Four people have been killed in a helicopter crash at Bulli Tops in Wollongong’s northern suburbs.
Police, paramedics and firefighters are heading to Panorama House where the helicopter crashed just after midday.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said there were ‘‘multiple’’ fatalities.
Panorama House is a function centre set on a cliff overlooking the Illawarra, and is popular among wedding parties.
The chopper that crashed is believed to have been carrying a wedding party. One of those killed is believed to be a child
more to come


Read more: Wollongong helicopter crash kills four

[Trojan1981]

It's an R44.

Poor people.

[falconx]

Wind gust then struck trees and went down

[VH-XXX]

There are already two other threads running in this topic one of them only a few below this one.

http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...ulli-tops.html

[Capt Fathom]

There are already two other threads running in this topic

Correct!

But this one was up before the others!

Saw some footage on the news tonight. It looks reasonably intact. Damn shame!

[Ultralights]

looks almost identical to the one at jaspers, could have been survivable, but sadly fire took hold.

[VH-XXX]

it looks reasonably intact

Are we talking about the same wreck here?

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/510...ch-2013-a.html

[Ultralights]

yep, same one.

[waren9]

Poor bastards. I hope they were gone before the fire.

[belly tank]

Rip. similar accident to the 2011 crash at YCNK. I've flown Over 1000hrs in an 44 and will never step a foot in one ever again in this death trap.

Rip. and condolences to the families it's another sad day.

[mickjoebill]

I hope they were gone before the fire.

According to reports, the pilot extracted himself.


Mickjoebill

[kingRB]

I've flown Over 1000hrs in an 44 and will never step a foot in one ever again in this death trap.

Care to explain why?

[Sunfish]

SB - 78B - fitment of fuel bladders.

Both survived the crash at Jasper's Brush which happened when the pilot attempted to close a sprung open door when he was only Six feet off the ground. The tail rotor struck the ground.

They didn't survive the fire.

CASA only "strongly recommended" compliance with 78b.

[VH-XXX]

Owners would be screaming if CASA forced the AD due to the cost that would effectively ground some operators.

Basically, don't fly one without them. If this heli didn't have them fitted it will be an interesting discussion.

[Jack Ranga]

I never heard a good word said about them

[Wally Mk2]

I was in Syd recently & had some time to spare down at Circular Quay I was amazed at the amount of choppers flying low over the bridge/harbour which I assume is a re selected heli route for the tourists. After reading this thread & some of the comments I'd be hesitant to step aboard a Robbo (of which there where many on the day) to do one of these flights.
Just an observation that's all.
I don't know a lot about choppers other than the toy ones I play with but the risk of an unfortunate outcome due engine failure for me personally would be to high, each to their own I guess.

I hope the families of those lost are doing their best in this time of terrible sadness.

Wmk2

[Username here]

I don't know a lot about choppers other than the toy ones I play with but the risk of an unfortunate outcome due engine failure for me personally would be to high, each to their own I guess.

I've flown both and can categorically say that when all the noise stops you're safer in a helicopter in auto than a FW in a glide mate...(zero fwd speed/zero vertical Speed v 150km fwd speed zero vertical speed on TD) with practice you can do a precision auto in some very very tightspots as opposed to needing a runway size paddock.

[aroa]

Explosafe..

Since this type of fatal accident has been ongoing ever since Robbos were invented its got me stuffed why these tanks are NOT fitted with the aluminium foam that prevents rapid onset of an explosive fire.

Dont know if there have been any accidents with the new bagged tanks, but if they get ripped open or ruptured, the result will be the same as the Bulli tragedy.

The foam weighs very little, the tank fuel volume is reduced by a only a litre or so...and the safety benefit is ENORMOUS.

But we have an Authority that's primary interest is "safety" to do all this for us dont we...Que?
WTF.

Read the techo details for yourself and make up yr own mind.

I believe in Canada you cannot buy an empty container for fuel to put in yr car..it has to have the ali foam within.

[Up-into-the-air]

LTE - Loss Tail Rotor Efectiveness

R22-R44
I have been reading, since mid-2012 of issues with R22's and '44's after looking at the John Quadrio incident and reading all the AD's, SB's and accident reports.

There is a Rotorheads thread as well:

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/510...-2013-a-2.html

LTE

The most common issue is LTE, yet there is no discussion of that here at all.

SITE

If you have had a look at the topograghy of the site, there is a 1000FT rise from sea level over a 2 NM distance, which causes severe updraughts at times, or where the wind is from the west, severe turbulaence. [I was "dumped" due to downdrafts on late final on RWY 08 some years ago] so am well aware of the fickle weather conditions in the area.



From the Panorama literature:

Boasting absolutely breathtaking views of the picture-perfect Illawarra coastline, Panorama House is perched high on top of the Illawarra Escarpment, 400 metres above sea level.

Question is: Was this another LTE incident, with the fuel tanks a secondary issue??

The following give the local AWB for the R22/44 and question is - Why is this not an AD??, given the ATSB report.

Files for operation of an R22/44 bear some reading:

R22/R44 Ops Info | Assistance to the Aviation Industry