Bell ditching off Newcastle
The big picture is the captain was allegedly operating an aircraft at night in an aircraft that was not certified or equipped to do so (in crap weather) allegedly without current qualification to do so.
To cast aspersions on individuals or agencies external to the aircraft is drawing a long bow IMHO.
To cast aspersions on individuals or agencies external to the aircraft is drawing a long bow IMHO.
Last edited by The Banjo; 10th Nov 2019 at 07:56. Reason: .
Not being qualified or equipped doesn’t necessarily make the aircraft unsafe. Night hours are not yet mentioned in the report.
And, yes, I understand the emphasis on 'might' given the single photograph (with the 'of interest' end of the boom not visible). I was really just wondering if there was anything in particular in the photo that had caught your eye.
Isn't the notion that a pilot who was not licenced for night VFR planned to fly a helicopter that was not equipped for night VFR at night with pax on board somewhat troubling?
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Of course the night rated/ equipped aspect is a big issue. And in all probability ...
But to immediately draw the conclusion this was the cause would be remiss, given other factors could have been at play
But to immediately draw the conclusion this was the cause would be remiss, given other factors could have been at play
Even if the licensing/equipment issue isn’t the specific cause (we all know probability of that), it still puts the aircraft in a specific place/time of accident where it shouldn’t have been legally.
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/577986...-050-final.pdf
Not NVFR rated, aircraft not NVFR capable and in poor weather past last light.
Very sad.
Not NVFR rated, aircraft not NVFR capable and in poor weather past last light.
Very sad.
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Ive flown "Iroquois" helicopters in the Mil for many hours in those conditions. I can assure you the helo is difficult to keep upright particularly over long periods and was always crewed by two pilots.
E86
E86
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Eagle, our Hueys were kitted for IFR and we were trained for IFR. You trained me.
This goose was not trained, the aircraft was not fitted with the right stuff, and he was full of drugs which would have an unknown effect on somebody who had so little sleep before the flight.
This goose was not trained, the aircraft was not fitted with the right stuff, and he was full of drugs which would have an unknown effect on somebody who had so little sleep before the flight.
The only Dick bashers are those who continue to blame airspace when unqualified, unprepared and unsuitable pilots push their luck and try and fly in conditions that regularly kill private pilots and their passengers. You don't have to be a professional pilot to have a professional attitude to your flying. Those with a "I don't need to know that crap, I know planes." attitude will be found wanting given the right set of conditions.
This goose was not trained, the aircraft was not fitted with the right stuff, and he was full of drugs which would have an unknown effect on somebody who had so little sleep before the flight.
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The only Dick bashers are those who continue to blame airspace when unqualified, unprepared and unsuitable pilots push their luck and try and fly in conditions that regularly kill private pilots and their passengers. You don't have to be a professional pilot to have a professional attitude to your flying. Those with a "I don't need to know that crap, I know planes." attitude will be found wanting given the right set of conditions.
