Channel 10 Chopper Reported Crash Near Perth.
 

A Channel 10 Bell Jet Ranger has reportedly 'crashed' at Baskerville, a NE suburb of Perth whilst filming the scene of a truck roll-over...
Crew OK, minor injuries.


"CHANNEL 10 news helicopter has crashed in Perth's Swan Valley.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said they had received preliminary reports that the Bell 206 helicopter hit the ground hard while it was filming a traffic incident at Baskerville.

The helicopter was understood to be filming a truck rollover on Weir Road when the crash happened this morning.

The spokesman said initial advice was that the helicopter sustained substantial damage.

A cameraman on board the chopper and the pilot escaped with minor injuries and are being taken to hospital.

Police and firefighters are at the scene."

More up to date reports calling it a 'hard landing' and machine on its side in pieces....
Crew OK - minor injuries reported.

Here's a link to a photo just released...

Channel 10 news helicopter crashes in Perth | Perth Now

Looks to have come to a rest right next to a powerline. Wonder if that was a contributing factor...

Amazing footage of the last few seconds prior to the crash and the crew getting out on the commercial news tonight. Was it shown 'over east'? If not, I'll edit and upload somewhere.

Looks to be broken in 2 pieces. Wonder if that was a contributing factor?

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Video Footage Here
 

206, hot day, high, spinning...

I'd be looking toward LTE.

LTE
 

What is LTE?
LTE is an uncommanded, rapid yaw towards the advancing blade which does not subside of its own accord. It can result in the loss of the aircraft if left unchecked.

Which helicopters are susceptible to LTE?

All helicopters with a single main rotor and tail rotor are susceptible to LTE. Those helicopters equipped with a Fenestron are affected by a similar phenomenon traditionally known as 'Fenestron Stall'. The Bell Jetranger is statistically the most likely to encounter LTE and it is this type which caused the FAA to look more closely at the problem back in the 1980s.

Is LTE caused by a mechanical defect?

No. LTE is caused by an aerodynamic interaction between the main rotor and tail rotor. Some helicopter types (Jetranger) are more likely to encounter LTE due to the insufficient thrust produced by having a tail rotor which meets certification standards, but which is not always able to produce the thrust demanded by the pilot.

For the uninitiated, LTE=Loss of Tailrotor Effectiveness.

Welcome to the group of us that have a mismatch between take off and landings !

Cameraman mentioned something in his interview about the engine quitting.

There's an effin' loud alert that goes off when the turbine fails - it's frighteningly similar to the sound of a piece of medical equipment ...... shame there's no audio from the on board camera.

LTE can sneak up on you without warning - just as quickly as engine failure.

Either way - good job from a great driver !

Indeed UL,

I know nothing of flying helps, but from the little I do, a loss of power at very low level does not give much time to execute a neat autorotation.

If there is a mechanical failure and the tail rotor is not functional I can only imagine its terrifying to say the least.

atsb report
 

A quick browse of the atsb web site shows 28 occurrences for a search on "Loss of tail rotor effectiveness"

The following report from 1983 is very similar to the current one in WAust.

Worth a read:

http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24697/198202438.pdf

Also the 10 year GA summary gives some insight into the GA data that is sobering, but indicates the improvement made in the 90's

http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/36723/F...how_happen.pdf ..... being 1999 to 2000

And the up to date [2011] are at:

Aviation Occurrence Statistics 2001 to 2010

Just a Sunday morning read!!

The comment"it's the first crash in 21 years "is an odd one, how many crashes does one expect from a helo, they seem to tear themselves to pieces when the ground arrives. I guess a hard landing is repairable ,but I've seen a lot of helo salvage photos and they all pretty buggered
Met

Its the first crash in 21 years that Heliwest has had, not that particular Jetbox.

Interesting. How bent must a machine be before it's classed as a crash ?

I'm probably being a bit harsh here but I love the way the Camera man runs away without helping the Pilot!!

Good outcome though.

Was thinking the same.

DIVOSH!

Hmmm... easy to say i guess. Last little bingle i were in, when i smelt fuel, i got out - fast. From what ah seen it dont take much fuel to make a big WHUMP.




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