DHC Beaver down in Hawkesbury
Apologies if anyone else has mentioned this, but I just read from this point Sydney Seaplanes will be operating all flights 2-pilot. Maybe they have some insight to a pilot incapacitation event?
The Cottage Point Inn restaurant may also possibly go out of business without the aerial tourism traffic?
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Two pilots does sound sensible snd would give good piece of mind to passengers and regulators but not still without its' dangers.
Paper here says the company is grounding its Beavers until a preliminary report as to cause is released. The two pilot ops on the 208 is only for an interim period. So says the company via Mr. Shaw.
Not sure that two pilots would have saved the situation if what opinion here thinks happened, actually happened. We await the report.
It's good PR to do it. TV mentioned resumption of flying in the caravan today but did not mention two pilots.
It's good PR to do it. TV mentioned resumption of flying in the caravan today but did not mention two pilots.
Car parking is always scarce on the very steep road down to Cottage Point. Those who regularly drive to the Inn may be advantaged by taking membership of the Ku-Rin-Gai Motor Yacht Club. For KMYC have a vast, secure carpark there..
Could it be that the two pilot op is intended to keep pilots gainfully employed while the Beavers are out of service? An employer looking after pilots - that's a good thing right?
This has been a catastrophe for all involved. There isn’t a tourist industry on the Hawkesbury that hasn’t been affected. The most innocent commercial victim has been Steve Krug operating his magnificent Beaver out of Palm Beach.
Aaron Shaw, in making a dual pilot decision for his flights is doing his absolute best to mitigate something that appears likely outside anyones control. Sydney Seaplanes would be wearing this cost for a number of reasons - but they will have the full support of everyone on the Hawkesbury from the smallest guesthouse operator to the busiest restaurant. I’m sure everyone hopes that ‘the market’ supports a genuine and well intended safety initiative.
Aaron Shaw, in making a dual pilot decision for his flights is doing his absolute best to mitigate something that appears likely outside anyones control. Sydney Seaplanes would be wearing this cost for a number of reasons - but they will have the full support of everyone on the Hawkesbury from the smallest guesthouse operator to the busiest restaurant. I’m sure everyone hopes that ‘the market’ supports a genuine and well intended safety initiative.
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Dear Fred . . . . . maybe there should be a PPRuNe system that can deal with posters who reveal their ignorance of the relevant facts, and are patently without credible experience, but launch into print anyway. Initially they should be cautioned. Then. . .. how about - "three strikes and you're out " ? . .. . Darce
p.s. you wouldn't be the Fred that crop-dusted with Ag Cats, by any chance?
p.s. you wouldn't be the Fred that crop-dusted with Ag Cats, by any chance?
Yes, I am the second generation Fred. I still have FPB in the hangar at Wagga.
2 pilot ops - or 2 crew?
Seems a band aid and no official change in operation, can be a student pilot in the RHS is my guess.
This is very odd.... and I'm not pilot blaming here.
CAVOK day - tailwind, he enters Jerusalem Bay then makes an 80 degree angle of bank turn and impacts.
Was he flying towards and surrounded by terrain, lacked the climb power due to load to climb over it - tried to make a steep turn to reverse direction and overcooked it?
He's experienced and knows the area well - so don't think so...?
That land around Cottage point etc can't be more than a coupla hundred feet high - and surely even a fully loaded Beaver would have the climb performance to clear that terrain.
Part of statement from Sydney Seaplanes:
Aaron Shaw, CEO of Sydney Seaplanes, said:
“Since the accident, we have done everything possible to assist the ATSB, the NSW Police and CASA to understand how this tragic event occurred.
“Whilst the precise cause of the accident remains unknown, the preliminary report reflects the excellent flying conditions on the day and suggests no evidence of airframe, fuel or engine issues. The Report confirms that the aircraft undertook a periodic inspection as recently as the 6th of November 2017 and was certified fully fit to fly.
“Our maintenance program is conducted to the highest standard possible, going above and beyond both manufacturer and regulatory requirements, to the extent that our Beavers undergo a complete strip, repaint and rebuild every three years.
“The Report also highlights that Gareth Morgan was a highly skilled, experienced and trained pilot who was flying to a location he had flown to hundreds of times before.
“The key question arising from the Report is why the plane crashed approximately half way down Jerusalem Bay, which is surrounded by steep terrain and has no exit. It is not a route we authorise in our Landing & Take Off Area Register and the plane simply should not have been where it was.
“Further, the aircraft is then reported to have entered in to an 80-90 degree bank angle turn. A turn of this nature at low altitude by a pilot with Gareth's skills, experience and intimate knowledge of the location is totally inexplicable.
“We hope the ATSB’s request for further eye witness accounts will shed additional light on these matters,” said Mr Shaw.
CAVOK day - tailwind, he enters Jerusalem Bay then makes an 80 degree angle of bank turn and impacts.
Was he flying towards and surrounded by terrain, lacked the climb power due to load to climb over it - tried to make a steep turn to reverse direction and overcooked it?
He's experienced and knows the area well - so don't think so...?
That land around Cottage point etc can't be more than a coupla hundred feet high - and surely even a fully loaded Beaver would have the climb performance to clear that terrain.
Part of statement from Sydney Seaplanes:
Aaron Shaw, CEO of Sydney Seaplanes, said:
“Since the accident, we have done everything possible to assist the ATSB, the NSW Police and CASA to understand how this tragic event occurred.
“Whilst the precise cause of the accident remains unknown, the preliminary report reflects the excellent flying conditions on the day and suggests no evidence of airframe, fuel or engine issues. The Report confirms that the aircraft undertook a periodic inspection as recently as the 6th of November 2017 and was certified fully fit to fly.
“Our maintenance program is conducted to the highest standard possible, going above and beyond both manufacturer and regulatory requirements, to the extent that our Beavers undergo a complete strip, repaint and rebuild every three years.
“The Report also highlights that Gareth Morgan was a highly skilled, experienced and trained pilot who was flying to a location he had flown to hundreds of times before.
“The key question arising from the Report is why the plane crashed approximately half way down Jerusalem Bay, which is surrounded by steep terrain and has no exit. It is not a route we authorise in our Landing & Take Off Area Register and the plane simply should not have been where it was.
“Further, the aircraft is then reported to have entered in to an 80-90 degree bank angle turn. A turn of this nature at low altitude by a pilot with Gareth's skills, experience and intimate knowledge of the location is totally inexplicable.
“We hope the ATSB’s request for further eye witness accounts will shed additional light on these matters,” said Mr Shaw.
Max terrain height 180 metres?
https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/nsw/jerusalem-bay
Around 5100 lbs certified MAUW on the Beaver?
What's it's climb performance like at MAUW?
I've watched them them take off from Rose Bay - very good converters of fuel to noise and extremely shallow climb out angle...
Can any Beaver drivers past or present elaborate?
https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/nsw/jerusalem-bay
Around 5100 lbs certified MAUW on the Beaver?
What's it's climb performance like at MAUW?
I've watched them them take off from Rose Bay - very good converters of fuel to noise and extremely shallow climb out angle...
Can any Beaver drivers past or present elaborate?