Chopper Crash Cairns
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Brisvegas
piston engine aircraft have two magnetos and they are incorporated into a single switch typically,
Joined: Mar 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Long ago and far away ......
"... piston engine aircraft have two magnetos and they are i
😉
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: LONDON
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 446
Likes: 78
From: australia
Mike, piston engine aircraft have two magnetos and they are incorporated into a single switch typically, along with the starter, each magneto has to be tested in an engine run up prior to flight, having the switch key operated is merely a security factor, photo below. All a turbine engine needs is a start switch.
Just because pistons have magnetos, doesn't really explain why the switch needs a key to operate it. I mean most piston twin fixed wing aircraft just have mag switches that you turn without a key.
Manufacturers can incorporate a key to operate any system. In the same way that a key operates the starter and mags on a piston, a key could be incorporated to operate the starter on a turbine helo.
Not trying to argue that these flimsy keys offer much security anyway, just can't work out the distinction that only pistons have a key but turbines do not.
Dunnunda Fleet Manager
Joined: Jan 1996
Posts: 8,204
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From: Utopia
"...just can't work out the distinction that only pistons have a key but turbines do not."
If you seek the merits of start switches in piston versus turbine helicopters, I suggest you ask that question in our Tech Log Forum or Rotary Wing Forum.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,706
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From: Australia
I am of the opinion that the keys left in the ignition is a moot point with regards to the accident, more of a case of the authorities attempting to prosecute the operator for leaving the keys in the machine maybe.
Not sure about the history and logic why smaller piston engine aircraft have keys. However it may be related to the fact that most of the GA aircraft that have keys are manufactured in the US, and lots of people who own GA aircraft in the US treat flying their aircraft as if it is their car. Hence, the logic could be as simple as picking up the keys to the car and aircraft.
The FAA’s regulations particularly with regards to Part 91 operations are extremely relaxed, in comparison to the garbage regulations that we have in Australia, as we all know….
Not sure about the history and logic why smaller piston engine aircraft have keys. However it may be related to the fact that most of the GA aircraft that have keys are manufactured in the US, and lots of people who own GA aircraft in the US treat flying their aircraft as if it is their car. Hence, the logic could be as simple as picking up the keys to the car and aircraft.
The FAA’s regulations particularly with regards to Part 91 operations are extremely relaxed, in comparison to the garbage regulations that we have in Australia, as we all know….
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,152
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From: Australia/India
Roy Nolland raised the issue of aircraft security and what the aircraft operator said about the aircraft keys. Every poster since then has said, in effect, that the issue has no causal connection with the accident and, further, the aircraft appears to have been appropriately secured inside a hangar.
For the record, and at the risk of incurring Tailwheel’s wrath: The aircraft operator didn’t say the keys were left in the ignition switch. And there are plenty of piston-engined, US manufactured aircraft that don’t have keyed ignition switches. So the discussion of the issue is not only irrelevant; it’s misinformed. All it does is feed sensationalist calls and knee jerk proposals for more stringent security arrangements.
For the record, and at the risk of incurring Tailwheel’s wrath: The aircraft operator didn’t say the keys were left in the ignition switch. And there are plenty of piston-engined, US manufactured aircraft that don’t have keyed ignition switches. So the discussion of the issue is not only irrelevant; it’s misinformed. All it does is feed sensationalist calls and knee jerk proposals for more stringent security arrangements.
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Australia
Circumstanial evidence
I find it very difficult to believe the accident pilot didn't have a CASA licence. It seems he obtained his NZ CPL-H in September 2022 and hadn't worked as a pilot in NZ since then. Nautilus advertises for ground crew in March 2024 which on the face of it might be a stepping stone to greater things in the industry. They don't pay much, only $50K - better than welfare - but it might be priceless for making contacts and getting known and learning stuff. Worth the effort of migrating to Australia. The elusive first job is sometimes a case of being in the right place at the right time, but you do need a licence and all your paperwork in order. Getting the CASA licence takes virtually no effort at all, just fill in the Form 760 Application and post it off. 30 days later you get your Australian CPL-H. I would have thought any pilot embarking on this adventure would have done that on day one in-country.
If he was celebrating a ground job promotion, why would you steal an aircraft and guarantee that the ground promotion or pilot job would never eventuate?
If it's true that there was over six hours delay between being last seen by his friends and the chopper taking off, then he had lots of time to sober up a bit and think about consequences. He was sober enough to get to the airfield and then steal and fly the chopper in difficult conditions.
If he had discovered some recent medical or legal problem that would permanently preclude an Australian licence, then this could be a possible motive.
He seemed stable and highly thought of, so a serious medical issue is perhaps more probable from the limited circumstantial evidence.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 86
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From: Brisbane, Australia
10 August 2018 - A ground handling agent for Horizon Air steals a Dash 8 in Seattle. Spends an hour flying around showing off; even does a barrel roll. Before deliberately crashing, he tells ATC some things that strongly suggest he is upset that he will only ever be a ground handler and has been unfairly denied the opportunity to be a pilot. Online right wingers identify with some of the things he said and dub him the "Sky King".
10 August 2024 - American online right wingers are marking the 6th anniversary of the "Sky King", reflecting on his actions positively. For Americans it was 10 August, but in Australia it was 11 August - the same day that the drinks to celebrate a "promotion" of a ground handler to another ground handling job. Was Sky King discussed at that celebration? Did the Australian ground handler identify with Sky King's disappointment at being a ground handler with dreams of being a pilot? Did this inspire the Australian ground handler to go out the same way that Sky King did - steal an aircraft and fly recklessly with no intention of landing alive?
10 August 2024 - American online right wingers are marking the 6th anniversary of the "Sky King", reflecting on his actions positively. For Americans it was 10 August, but in Australia it was 11 August - the same day that the drinks to celebrate a "promotion" of a ground handler to another ground handling job. Was Sky King discussed at that celebration? Did the Australian ground handler identify with Sky King's disappointment at being a ground handler with dreams of being a pilot? Did this inspire the Australian ground handler to go out the same way that Sky King did - steal an aircraft and fly recklessly with no intention of landing alive?
Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,379
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From: Melbourne
There used to be 2 x Partenavias at Essendon with similar regos. A friend took one 3/4 of the way to Tassie before he realised it was the wrong one.
He called the owner on return, told him what happened and they offered the other aircraft at a cheaper rate than the one he was in, so win win :-)
He called the owner on return, told him what happened and they offered the other aircraft at a cheaper rate than the one he was in, so win win :-)
Joined: Apr 2008
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: troposphere
Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Melbourne
https://www.news.com.au/travel/trave...614aab8cdbd643
Pilot Blake Wilson significantly affected by alcohol stolen chopper crash.
The 23-year-old pilot killed after crashing a helicopter into a Cairns hotel was intoxicated during the incident, an investigation has revealed.
Jessica Wang
A report into a fatal helicopter collision has revealed the 23-year-old pilot was significantly under the influence of alcohol when he crashed into a Cairns hotel.An investigation conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) revealed Blake Wilson had a “significant” blood alcohol content when the Robinson R44 chopper he was piloting crashed into the Hilton DoubleTree hotel on the Cairns Esplanade at about 1.51am on August 12.
Witness reports and video recordings also revealed the New Zealand pilot had been consuming alcohol while out with friends in Cairns, before they returned to their apartment at about 11pm the night prior.
Video footage than revealed Mr Wilson driving away from the venue at 01.09am, and reappearing at the Nautilus Aviation hangar at Cairns Airport about 20 minutes later.
“The pilot was affected by a significant amount of alcohol before and during the flight,” the report found.
“The pilot further increased risk to themselves and those on the ground by conducting the unauthorised flight well below the 1,000ft allowed for flight over a built-up area.”
Although the pilot had a New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority commercial pilot licence, only 16.8 hours of his 157.8 hours of aeronautic experience had been spent flying Robinson R44 helicopters.
Mr Wilson was able to access the hangar as he was employed by Nautilus Aviation as a ground crew member.
While no guests or hotel staff were injured in the collision, the chopper was completely destroyed during the crash landing on the hotel’s roof.
Parts of the main rotor were also found in rooms underneath the crash site, the report found.
“The helicopter instrument panel, glare shield-mounted GPS, mast, main rotor head and blades were separated from the helicopter’s fuselage during the accident sequence,” the report found. “They were located within the hotel grounds below the impact location.
“The remaining portion of the rotor blade that impacted the windows was found in parkland across the road from the hotel.”
The report also found Mr Wilson flew “well below” the 1000ft height required of pilots when flowing over populous areas, which would have placed increased risk of endangering both himself and people on the ground.
Although the ATSB said the role of the investigation was not to put blame on an organisation or individual, it concluded the collision was an “unauthorised but purposeful act”.
“For reasons unknown, pilot actions resulted in a collision with a building while conducting an unauthorised and unnecessary flight, while affected by alcohol, late at night and at low heights over a built-up area, and without night flying endorsements,” it said.
The 23-year-old pilot killed after crashing a helicopter into a Cairns hotel was intoxicated during the incident, an investigation has revealed.
Jessica Wang
A report into a fatal helicopter collision has revealed the 23-year-old pilot was significantly under the influence of alcohol when he crashed into a Cairns hotel.An investigation conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) revealed Blake Wilson had a “significant” blood alcohol content when the Robinson R44 chopper he was piloting crashed into the Hilton DoubleTree hotel on the Cairns Esplanade at about 1.51am on August 12.
Witness reports and video recordings also revealed the New Zealand pilot had been consuming alcohol while out with friends in Cairns, before they returned to their apartment at about 11pm the night prior.
Video footage than revealed Mr Wilson driving away from the venue at 01.09am, and reappearing at the Nautilus Aviation hangar at Cairns Airport about 20 minutes later.
“The pilot was affected by a significant amount of alcohol before and during the flight,” the report found.
“The pilot further increased risk to themselves and those on the ground by conducting the unauthorised flight well below the 1,000ft allowed for flight over a built-up area.”
Although the pilot had a New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority commercial pilot licence, only 16.8 hours of his 157.8 hours of aeronautic experience had been spent flying Robinson R44 helicopters.
Mr Wilson was able to access the hangar as he was employed by Nautilus Aviation as a ground crew member.
While no guests or hotel staff were injured in the collision, the chopper was completely destroyed during the crash landing on the hotel’s roof.
Parts of the main rotor were also found in rooms underneath the crash site, the report found.
“The helicopter instrument panel, glare shield-mounted GPS, mast, main rotor head and blades were separated from the helicopter’s fuselage during the accident sequence,” the report found. “They were located within the hotel grounds below the impact location.
“The remaining portion of the rotor blade that impacted the windows was found in parkland across the road from the hotel.”
The report also found Mr Wilson flew “well below” the 1000ft height required of pilots when flowing over populous areas, which would have placed increased risk of endangering both himself and people on the ground.
Although the ATSB said the role of the investigation was not to put blame on an organisation or individual, it concluded the collision was an “unauthorised but purposeful act”.
“For reasons unknown, pilot actions resulted in a collision with a building while conducting an unauthorised and unnecessary flight, while affected by alcohol, late at night and at low heights over a built-up area, and without night flying endorsements,” it said.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 14th October 2024 at 01:32. Reason: Add quote
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 1,153
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From: Oz
I think even the young lad looking down would be just as dumbfounded with his actions as everyone else has been.
Sounded like he simply ended up back at his apartment completely wasted and decided to go for a joy ride. I see he only lived over the road from the airport.
Could have been much worse however if he impacted a hotel more head on.
Sounded like he simply ended up back at his apartment completely wasted and decided to go for a joy ride. I see he only lived over the road from the airport.
Could have been much worse however if he impacted a hotel more head on.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 589
From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
Looks like it was out of control until just before it hit.
Last edited by compressor stall; 10th October 2024 at 12:36. Reason: added the "until just" to better say what I meant.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 880
Likes: 225
From: Australia
Earlier in this thread, there were posts that believed the pilot, Blake Wilson, held a NZ CPL(H) but not an Australian equivalent. However the ATSB report makes it clear he had done his legwork and registered for an equivalent in Feb 23 which was granted in March 23. He wasn't employed by Nautilus ìn a ground support role until April the following year.
ATSB report mentions footage of final flight path captured on two security cameras, but their video summary seems to only show footage from one of these cameras (repeated a second time cropped in). While grainy, the helicopter still seems to have been upright when making final climb. If so, flipping inverted must have been quite rapid in final moments of flight.
Separately, the section of the report on "airside access and security" seems to leave at least one question open...
ATSB report mentions footage of final flight path captured on two security cameras, but their video summary seems to only show footage from one of these cameras (repeated a second time cropped in). While grainy, the helicopter still seems to have been upright when making final climb. If so, flipping inverted must have been quite rapid in final moments of flight.
Separately, the section of the report on "airside access and security" seems to leave at least one question open...
