Firefighting helicopter down
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Firefighting helicopter down
Qld helicopter down whilst firefighting.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-...qfes/102880658
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-...qfes/102880658
A firefighting helicopter has crashed into a dam in the Scenic Rim, in Queensland's third chopper crash this year, but the pilot was able to escape safely.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirmed that the helicopter was undertaking water-bombing activities when it ditched into the water shortly before 3pm, on a private property in Tarome.
The male pilot, and sole occupant, was able to escape the wreckage and swim to shore where he is currently being assessed by paramedics.
An RACQ LifeFlight Rescue chopper airlifted the man to Toowoomba Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and remains in a stable condition.
The helicopter was hovering close to the water, collecting some to fight a blaze in Tregony, when it hit the surface and rolled.
There was no other aircraft nearby at the time of the incident, but QFES said the chopper was one of three helicopters battling the fire at the time of the crash.
QFES confirmed the Southern Downs fire, near Cunninghams Gap, has been burning since last weekend.
The extent of the damage, and cause of the crash, is unknown at this time but QFES said it would assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with its investigation.
Evan Christensen was first on the scene after the chopper crashed into his dam, where it remains submerged underwater.
"I was about a kilometre away at my father's house, but I could see a fair bit of it from there," the cattle farmer said.
"[The chopper] was below the dam line, filling his bucket, then there was a loud noise and spray from the dam came up, so I knew he was in trouble."
Mr Christensen said the crash made a "massive noise, and then it all just went quiet".
"I checked to see there was no one in the chopper with him, and he wanted to use the phone and make a phone call."
The chopper crashed into a dam on a private property.(ABC News)The farmer kept an eye out to make sure he didn't go into shock, but the pilot "was very calm".
"We didn't get much time to talk at all, there were a few phone calls coming in," Mr Christensen said.
"I think he knew how lucky he was to get out of it, happy to be alive."
QFES Acting Assistant Commissioner for the south-eastern region, Mark Stuart, said the pilot was "extremely lucky" to have survived.
"This highlights the dangers that all our firefighters, both on the ground and in the air, face," he said.
"He was very fortunate to get out of the wreckage and swim to shore.
"With a number of fires burning around the state, all aircraft are necessary to combat [them], so being short one aircraft will have some impact."
The rural dam had been used by firefighting helicopters in 2019 fires, but this is the first time they'd returned to the property this season.
"The dam probably covers about seven acres in size and surface area," Mr Christensen said.
"A lot of evaporation lately, [so] it's probably down about half half its volume."
Police told the farmer not to use the dam water while investigations unfold, for fear of water contamination.
"I believe insurance will be coming tomorrow to assess what's going on, and to get the chopper out.
"So I'll see what information they give me about fuel in the water, and go from there."
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirmed that the helicopter was undertaking water-bombing activities when it ditched into the water shortly before 3pm, on a private property in Tarome.
The male pilot, and sole occupant, was able to escape the wreckage and swim to shore where he is currently being assessed by paramedics.
An RACQ LifeFlight Rescue chopper airlifted the man to Toowoomba Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and remains in a stable condition.
The helicopter was hovering close to the water, collecting some to fight a blaze in Tregony, when it hit the surface and rolled.
There was no other aircraft nearby at the time of the incident, but QFES said the chopper was one of three helicopters battling the fire at the time of the crash.
QFES confirmed the Southern Downs fire, near Cunninghams Gap, has been burning since last weekend.
The extent of the damage, and cause of the crash, is unknown at this time but QFES said it would assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau with its investigation.
Evan Christensen was first on the scene after the chopper crashed into his dam, where it remains submerged underwater.
"I was about a kilometre away at my father's house, but I could see a fair bit of it from there," the cattle farmer said.
"[The chopper] was below the dam line, filling his bucket, then there was a loud noise and spray from the dam came up, so I knew he was in trouble."
Mr Christensen said the crash made a "massive noise, and then it all just went quiet".
"I checked to see there was no one in the chopper with him, and he wanted to use the phone and make a phone call."
"We didn't get much time to talk at all, there were a few phone calls coming in," Mr Christensen said.
"I think he knew how lucky he was to get out of it, happy to be alive."
QFES Acting Assistant Commissioner for the south-eastern region, Mark Stuart, said the pilot was "extremely lucky" to have survived.
"This highlights the dangers that all our firefighters, both on the ground and in the air, face," he said.
"He was very fortunate to get out of the wreckage and swim to shore.
"With a number of fires burning around the state, all aircraft are necessary to combat [them], so being short one aircraft will have some impact."
The rural dam had been used by firefighting helicopters in 2019 fires, but this is the first time they'd returned to the property this season.
"The dam probably covers about seven acres in size and surface area," Mr Christensen said.
"A lot of evaporation lately, [so] it's probably down about half half its volume."
Police told the farmer not to use the dam water while investigations unfold, for fear of water contamination.
"I believe insurance will be coming tomorrow to assess what's going on, and to get the chopper out.
"So I'll see what information they give me about fuel in the water, and go from there."
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 20th Sep 2023 at 10:54. Reason: Add quote: it saves following links
https://www.theguardian.com/australi...dam-pilot-door
Quote:An experienced pilot, Schultz credited helicopter underwater escape training for his survival.
“I’m not a very good swimmer, and I’m not very good at holding my breath,” he said.
Quote:An experienced pilot, Schultz credited helicopter underwater escape training for his survival.
“I’m not a very good swimmer, and I’m not very good at holding my breath,” he said.
Great that he got out okay. Looking at the size of that bucket compared to the scale of most remote area bushfires. Does anyone wonder, other than being able to drop it almost on on top of anyone or a property threatened by a fire, does it make any difference to a fire?
Last year i was flying near a remote and rocky ridge just east of Narrabri, The fire was burning along the ridge as i assume it normally would for summers going back eons.. Nobody lives there. There seemed to be at least ten helicopters doing a shuttle to drop retardant on the fire. It made no difference. The choppers were like insects compared to how wide the fire was, let alone the buckets, It eventually burned itself out, or got to a place where land crews could fight it.
Each chopper would presumably have cost tens of thousands of dollars a day. There were also fire spotters. Restricted areas, ATC kerfuffle etc. It seemed to me that it is almost a political thing to be seen to be doing "something". But those buckets are tiny.. Was at Casino airfield a few years ago when there was a fire on the range and maybe half a dozen choppers had gathered in the hopes of getting a contract.
Anyway, not an expert just an observation on the size of the water bucket. NO doubt very brave and skilled pilots doing the job.
Last year i was flying near a remote and rocky ridge just east of Narrabri, The fire was burning along the ridge as i assume it normally would for summers going back eons.. Nobody lives there. There seemed to be at least ten helicopters doing a shuttle to drop retardant on the fire. It made no difference. The choppers were like insects compared to how wide the fire was, let alone the buckets, It eventually burned itself out, or got to a place where land crews could fight it.
Each chopper would presumably have cost tens of thousands of dollars a day. There were also fire spotters. Restricted areas, ATC kerfuffle etc. It seemed to me that it is almost a political thing to be seen to be doing "something". But those buckets are tiny.. Was at Casino airfield a few years ago when there was a fire on the range and maybe half a dozen choppers had gathered in the hopes of getting a contract.
Anyway, not an expert just an observation on the size of the water bucket. NO doubt very brave and skilled pilots doing the job.
Extralite - Shhhh, we've built an entire industry around this, a house of cards that will topple as soon as agencies work out that ecosystems need to burn to stay healthy.
See also: 'Hero Worship'
Interestin to see the ATSB report when it comes out.
ATSB. Was the pilot wearing a lifejacket?
A question? Was the helo pilot wearinga lifejacket? A few years back there was another firebomber crash and the ATSB at the time recommended that firebomber pilots wear a lifejacket to use in the event of a ditching.
Interestin to see the ATSB report when it comes out.
ATSB. Was the pilot wearing a lifejacket?
Interestin to see the ATSB report when it comes out.
ATSB. Was the pilot wearing a lifejacket?
You can just see the media salivating over the potential disaster and catastrophy of natures gift to regeneration, no covid disaster or border closures to report on, they are just itching, poised to turn it into Australia's next telethon and star studded benefit concert, only for it to...........piss down rain. Damn.
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Was the pilot wearing a lifejacket?
Something like 66% of helicopters involved in an accident while conducting these operations ended up in a dam, lake or river.
Should pilots and shooters wear a lifejacket while conducting these operations?
A question? Was the helo pilot wearinga lifejacket? A few years back there was another firebomber crash and the ATSB at the time recommended that firebomber pilots wear a lifejacket to use in the event of a ditching.
Interestin to see the ATSB report when it comes out.
ATSB. Was the pilot wearing a lifejacket?
Interestin to see the ATSB report when it comes out.
ATSB. Was the pilot wearing a lifejacket?
A life jacket is problematic during an escape - it can snag and it can provide a distinct force in a direction that may be opposite the exit. If there is danger of serious injury or hypothermia that would prevent swimming to safety an inflatable one makes a lot of sense to deploy afterwards. If one is expecting an orderly exit then the traditional puffy jacket would work - but I expect that no water landing in a typical helo is orderly.
A life jacket is problematic during an escape
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If you crash in water, and don’t get out, you drown.
If if you are fit enough to get out, you only need a jacket if you can’t make it to land and if you are in a dam or river you probably don’t need a jacket for that unless you are a fairly poor swimmer.
If if you are fit enough to get out, you only need a jacket if you can’t make it to land and if you are in a dam or river you probably don’t need a jacket for that unless you are a fairly poor swimmer.
Obviously the new Part 138 regulations aren’t doing anything to improve safety based on the current accident rate.
Maybe CASA need to mandate Safety Management Systems for Part 138 certificate holders.
A good SMS would determine if life jackets are required for these types of operations, opposed to CASA mandating more confusing regulations. Let the certificate holder decide.
Maybe CASA need to mandate Safety Management Systems for Part 138 certificate holders.
A good SMS would determine if life jackets are required for these types of operations, opposed to CASA mandating more confusing regulations. Let the certificate holder decide.
Last edited by Duck Pilot; 6th Oct 2023 at 21:40.
