Bell 407 down off Queensland coast
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Bell 407 down off Queensland coast
ABC News Online
A full-scale search is underway for two missing men after a emergency response helicopter crashed into the sea, off the central coast of Queensland.
A search and rescue spokesman says the body of one man aged in his early-thirties has already been recovered from the water near the wreckage.
The upturned wreckage of the Bell 407 helicopter was found halfway between Mackay and Hamilton Island.
The last contact from the helicopter, which was flying from Mackay to Hamilton Island to pick up a patient, was received just before 11pm AEST on Friday.
A helicopter with infra red equipment is continuing to search for the two other men, who are also aged in their early-thirties.
Another plane is hovering over the area, looking for emergency beacons.
The search involves four helicopters, two light planes, and police divers.
Hamilton Island, the largest inhabited island of the 74 tropical Whitsunday islands, is just off the Queensland Coast and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
One dead, two missing in Qld helicopter crash.
A full-scale search is underway for two missing men after a emergency response helicopter crashed into the sea, off the central coast of Queensland.
A search and rescue spokesman says the body of one man aged in his early-thirties has already been recovered from the water near the wreckage.
The upturned wreckage of the Bell 407 helicopter was found halfway between Mackay and Hamilton Island.
The last contact from the helicopter, which was flying from Mackay to Hamilton Island to pick up a patient, was received just before 11pm AEST on Friday.
A helicopter with infra red equipment is continuing to search for the two other men, who are also aged in their early-thirties.
Another plane is hovering over the area, looking for emergency beacons.
The search involves four helicopters, two light planes, and police divers.
Hamilton Island, the largest inhabited island of the 74 tropical Whitsunday islands, is just off the Queensland Coast and at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
Last edited by Heliport; 18th Oct 2003 at 04:49.
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UP DATE Rescue Chopper
Chopper crashes off Mackay, 2 dead
October 18, 2003
2 RESCUE workeras are dead and one other is missing after a helicopter on a medical evacuation flight crashed into the ocean off the Queensland coast overnight.
Australian Search and Rescue was notified just after 10.30pm (AEST) last night that the helicopter carrying three men on a 30-minute flight from Mackay to Hamilton Island failed to arrive to collect a man with a broken leg.
Air Services Australia say contact was lost with the helicopter 28km north of Mackay.
A Hamilton Island based rescue helicopter was sent to find the chopper, a Bell 407, and with the aid of a spotlight found it upturned just under the surface of the water.
The body of a man aged in his 30s was found floating in the water near the wreckage. a second body has been recovered
Another helicopter with an infrared camera searched for the other two rescue personnel - also men aged in their 30s - while a fixed-wing aircraft searched above the site.
October 18, 2003
2 RESCUE workeras are dead and one other is missing after a helicopter on a medical evacuation flight crashed into the ocean off the Queensland coast overnight.
Australian Search and Rescue was notified just after 10.30pm (AEST) last night that the helicopter carrying three men on a 30-minute flight from Mackay to Hamilton Island failed to arrive to collect a man with a broken leg.
Air Services Australia say contact was lost with the helicopter 28km north of Mackay.
A Hamilton Island based rescue helicopter was sent to find the chopper, a Bell 407, and with the aid of a spotlight found it upturned just under the surface of the water.
The body of a man aged in his 30s was found floating in the water near the wreckage. a second body has been recovered
Another helicopter with an infrared camera searched for the other two rescue personnel - also men aged in their 30s - while a fixed-wing aircraft searched above the site.
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Hamilton island (the destination) has a fully serviceable airport with most aids.
Mackay (departure point) has a fully servicable airport with most aids.
Why does a single engine night VFR 407 embark on a night flight over water to pick up a person with a broken leg. This was not a rescue it was a transfer flight. surely an aeroplane would have been the logical answer for the task.
It's no wonder that medical staff are becoming more reticent about boarding helicopters with the ammount of single engine helicopter night flights that have ended in fatalities in Australia.
We have a terrible history in this regard.
My sincere condolences to the families of the young pilot and the keen young crewmen who are no longer with us.
RIP
Mackay (departure point) has a fully servicable airport with most aids.
Why does a single engine night VFR 407 embark on a night flight over water to pick up a person with a broken leg. This was not a rescue it was a transfer flight. surely an aeroplane would have been the logical answer for the task.
It's no wonder that medical staff are becoming more reticent about boarding helicopters with the ammount of single engine helicopter night flights that have ended in fatalities in Australia.
We have a terrible history in this regard.
My sincere condolences to the families of the young pilot and the keen young crewmen who are no longer with us.
RIP
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a bit more info
Two men are confirmed dead and one is still missing after a rescue helicopter crashed into the sea off Mackay, on the central Queensland coast.
Two bodies have been found floating near the wreckage this morning.
A full scale search is under way for the other missing crew member.
The CQ Rescue chopper had been flying a standard mission to Hamilton Island to pick up an injured person.
The alarm was raised when the three-man crew failed to reach the island at around 10:30pm AEST on Friday.
With the help of air traffic control tapes, a helicopter search found the wreckage of the Bell 407 in the sea north-west of Mackay shortly after it was reported missing.
When first spotted, the helicopter was floating in the water with the aid of emergency floats. It has since sunk.
Police divers will shortly begin searching the wreckage, which is 6.5 metres underwater.
CQ Rescue Helicopter president John Bird says there is no obvious cause for the crash.
"All of the crew were experienced and the night last night was a clear night with very little wind, and there were no adverse weather conditions and the aircraft was shortly out from Mackay," he said.
ABC online
Two bodies have been found floating near the wreckage this morning.
A full scale search is under way for the other missing crew member.
The CQ Rescue chopper had been flying a standard mission to Hamilton Island to pick up an injured person.
The alarm was raised when the three-man crew failed to reach the island at around 10:30pm AEST on Friday.
With the help of air traffic control tapes, a helicopter search found the wreckage of the Bell 407 in the sea north-west of Mackay shortly after it was reported missing.
When first spotted, the helicopter was floating in the water with the aid of emergency floats. It has since sunk.
Police divers will shortly begin searching the wreckage, which is 6.5 metres underwater.
CQ Rescue Helicopter president John Bird says there is no obvious cause for the crash.
"All of the crew were experienced and the night last night was a clear night with very little wind, and there were no adverse weather conditions and the aircraft was shortly out from Mackay," he said.
ABC online
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I visited the operation in Mackay about a year ago and was very impressed with the operation there. The 407 looked in great order, crew seemed to be very much on the ball and being a CHC Australia operation I wouldnt have expected anything otherwise.
That part of Queensland seems to be a haven for accidents in the EMS world. Just look back over the past couple of years.
Not making any assumptions on what happened but hope they find the cause soon. Sad to see another crew lost in a tragic waste of helicopter industry professionals.
That part of Queensland seems to be a haven for accidents in the EMS world. Just look back over the past couple of years.
Not making any assumptions on what happened but hope they find the cause soon. Sad to see another crew lost in a tragic waste of helicopter industry professionals.
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Firstly, my condolences to the family and friends of those lost in this tragic accident.
This sad occasion may not be the time or the place to bring up this topic but isn't it time that single engine night operations in helicopters came to an end (EMS and marine pilot transfers included)
I'm afraid if this doesn't happen we will be reading about many more friends and collegues perishing in similar circumstances in the future.
If there are other people that think this should end what can we do as a group to put pressure on CASA to stop this lunacy ASAP.
This sad occasion may not be the time or the place to bring up this topic but isn't it time that single engine night operations in helicopters came to an end (EMS and marine pilot transfers included)
I'm afraid if this doesn't happen we will be reading about many more friends and collegues perishing in similar circumstances in the future.
If there are other people that think this should end what can we do as a group to put pressure on CASA to stop this lunacy ASAP.
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Crusty Scab and Trimpot...
Dr Deeper, was not being judgemental. read his words not your emotions. the questions he/she asks are relevant, and will be asked again and again in the coming months.
He is very observant.....take the time and review the statistics.
And Yes, lets not allow this thread to droop to the detriment of our Industry, and at the same time, lets not hide from the facts.
He is very observant.....take the time and review the statistics.
And Yes, lets not allow this thread to droop to the detriment of our Industry, and at the same time, lets not hide from the facts.
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From the Sunday Mail Brisbane
Mystery over chopper crash
DAVID ENGLISH and MELISSA KETCHELL
19oct03
AIR safety investigators were last night trying to unravel the mystery of why a rescue helicopter crashed at full speed into the sea off Mackay.
There was no distress message, no emergency beacons were activated and weather conditions were "perfect for flying" during the ill-fated mercy flight in which two crewmen died and another is missing feared dead.
The Central Queensland Rescue Service Bell 407 inexplicably crashed north of Mackay, between Cape Hillsborough and Green Island, about 15 minutes after taking off at 9.35pm on Friday.
The helicopter had been on a routine flight to Hamilton Island to pick up a woman who had broken her leg.
Preliminary investigations indicated the helicopter ploughed into the waves at full speed.
It was believed the pilot and two paramedics, all aged 32, died on impact. Their names had not been released last night.
By late yesterday the bodies of two of the three crewmen had been recovered. Searchers were not optimistic about finding the third man alive.
The pilot involved in the latest accident had extensive experience with marine helicopters and was on a flight described as routine.
Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman Ben Mitchell said there were several puzzling aspects to the crash. There was no emergency call from the chopper and no distress beacons were triggered, indicating the crash was without warning.
Early indications were the helicopter had hit the water while flying at normal cruising speed, rather than having crashed after an engine failure.
The first sign that something had gone wrong came when the Bell 407 failed to arrive at Hamilton Island on time. Authorities called the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra when it was 15 minutes late.
The Rescue Centre asked Air Services Australia, which monitors aircraft, to check radar identification tapes. The check revealed contact had been lost with the Bell 407 about 15 minutes into the 30-minute flight.
A helicopter was sent from Hamilton Island and saw wreckage floating just below the surface.
A volunteer vessel from Mackay found the body of one man floating close to the wrecked chopper. There was no sign of the two crew members.
A second search helicopter equipped with an infra-red camera was called in about 2am yesterday.
At daybreak yesterday the task of trying to find crew members continued.
Four helicopters, two planes and three boats went back to the crash area to search for the two missing men. Just before 9am, police divers found a second body in the wreckage.
A team from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrived at the crash site late yesterday morning to begin an official investigation.
The US-based company that provided the helicopter, which had been in service since September 2001, is sending representatives to Mackay to conduct its own inquiry.
The injured woman, who had broken her leg in a golf buggy accident, was transferred to Mackay Hospital by boat yesterday morning.
Premier Peter Beattie paid tribute to the crash victims, describing them as heroes.
"These are good people who put their lives at risk every day. They are the real heroes who make this state work," he said.
Mr Beattie said the Government would do everything possible to support the families of the victims.
"My heart goes out to them . . . we are all shocked."
The crash was the third involving rescue helicopters in Queensland in the past three years.
In April 2001, a Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service Bell 407 crashed into the ocean during a night mission 240km off Rockhampton.
In July 2000, five people died when a Bell LongRanger crashed near Marlborough, north of Rockhampton.
And the Whitsundays was the scene of a tragedy in September last year, when a Piper Cherokee plane crashed soon after takeoff from Hamilton Island, killing all six on board.
DAVID ENGLISH and MELISSA KETCHELL
19oct03
AIR safety investigators were last night trying to unravel the mystery of why a rescue helicopter crashed at full speed into the sea off Mackay.
There was no distress message, no emergency beacons were activated and weather conditions were "perfect for flying" during the ill-fated mercy flight in which two crewmen died and another is missing feared dead.
The Central Queensland Rescue Service Bell 407 inexplicably crashed north of Mackay, between Cape Hillsborough and Green Island, about 15 minutes after taking off at 9.35pm on Friday.
The helicopter had been on a routine flight to Hamilton Island to pick up a woman who had broken her leg.
Preliminary investigations indicated the helicopter ploughed into the waves at full speed.
It was believed the pilot and two paramedics, all aged 32, died on impact. Their names had not been released last night.
By late yesterday the bodies of two of the three crewmen had been recovered. Searchers were not optimistic about finding the third man alive.
The pilot involved in the latest accident had extensive experience with marine helicopters and was on a flight described as routine.
Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesman Ben Mitchell said there were several puzzling aspects to the crash. There was no emergency call from the chopper and no distress beacons were triggered, indicating the crash was without warning.
Early indications were the helicopter had hit the water while flying at normal cruising speed, rather than having crashed after an engine failure.
The first sign that something had gone wrong came when the Bell 407 failed to arrive at Hamilton Island on time. Authorities called the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra when it was 15 minutes late.
The Rescue Centre asked Air Services Australia, which monitors aircraft, to check radar identification tapes. The check revealed contact had been lost with the Bell 407 about 15 minutes into the 30-minute flight.
A helicopter was sent from Hamilton Island and saw wreckage floating just below the surface.
A volunteer vessel from Mackay found the body of one man floating close to the wrecked chopper. There was no sign of the two crew members.
A second search helicopter equipped with an infra-red camera was called in about 2am yesterday.
At daybreak yesterday the task of trying to find crew members continued.
Four helicopters, two planes and three boats went back to the crash area to search for the two missing men. Just before 9am, police divers found a second body in the wreckage.
A team from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrived at the crash site late yesterday morning to begin an official investigation.
The US-based company that provided the helicopter, which had been in service since September 2001, is sending representatives to Mackay to conduct its own inquiry.
The injured woman, who had broken her leg in a golf buggy accident, was transferred to Mackay Hospital by boat yesterday morning.
Premier Peter Beattie paid tribute to the crash victims, describing them as heroes.
"These are good people who put their lives at risk every day. They are the real heroes who make this state work," he said.
Mr Beattie said the Government would do everything possible to support the families of the victims.
"My heart goes out to them . . . we are all shocked."
The crash was the third involving rescue helicopters in Queensland in the past three years.
In April 2001, a Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service Bell 407 crashed into the ocean during a night mission 240km off Rockhampton.
In July 2000, five people died when a Bell LongRanger crashed near Marlborough, north of Rockhampton.
And the Whitsundays was the scene of a tragedy in September last year, when a Piper Cherokee plane crashed soon after takeoff from Hamilton Island, killing all six on board.
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Very very sad. Condolences to families and friends.
The following is said without *any* intention of disrespect to the dedicated crew who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and is in memory of colleagues that I have lost in the past.
I have been involved in a past life with many medevacs over many years, in acft varying from single heli to jet. One thing that has struck me is that there has been this enthusiasm from medical and lay sources for aerial transport, especially at night, for many injuries/illnesses that could in fact have waited either for daylight, or could have been completed by surface (boat/road/hovercraft...).
I am not for one instant making a judgment on the decision to dispatch in this case, but I have seen cases in the past where there has been a fracture (or two) where the patient has been splinted, is comfortable, has no compromise to circulation/sensation or other risk to the limb, but has been transported by air at great cost, and some increased risk by air, and especially at night in non-IFR acft. The same could be said for many non-trauma cases, as well. It is very dark at night over water and you really are on instruments - even on moonlit nights an orientable horizon can be difficult to discern.
Aeromedical transport can be fast and life-saving (seen that more frequently than the above, I'll admit ), but the risk and cost must be balanced against the benefits, as for any life activity. Even for the unstable patient, not moving, or moving by road/sea can offer benefits if there is no ICU level team trained in aeromedical transfer/retrieval as there is little chance of doing much active medical treatment in flight due to noise/vibration, etc., all of which can make some medical conditions worse. And, yes, many lives have been saved by night VFR flights, that would otherwise have been lost, but the risks and benefits must be clearly balanced.....
Again, condolences for loss of these three fine folk, who were trying to help to the best of their ability.
NOtimTAMs
The following is said without *any* intention of disrespect to the dedicated crew who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and is in memory of colleagues that I have lost in the past.
I have been involved in a past life with many medevacs over many years, in acft varying from single heli to jet. One thing that has struck me is that there has been this enthusiasm from medical and lay sources for aerial transport, especially at night, for many injuries/illnesses that could in fact have waited either for daylight, or could have been completed by surface (boat/road/hovercraft...).
I am not for one instant making a judgment on the decision to dispatch in this case, but I have seen cases in the past where there has been a fracture (or two) where the patient has been splinted, is comfortable, has no compromise to circulation/sensation or other risk to the limb, but has been transported by air at great cost, and some increased risk by air, and especially at night in non-IFR acft. The same could be said for many non-trauma cases, as well. It is very dark at night over water and you really are on instruments - even on moonlit nights an orientable horizon can be difficult to discern.
Aeromedical transport can be fast and life-saving (seen that more frequently than the above, I'll admit ), but the risk and cost must be balanced against the benefits, as for any life activity. Even for the unstable patient, not moving, or moving by road/sea can offer benefits if there is no ICU level team trained in aeromedical transfer/retrieval as there is little chance of doing much active medical treatment in flight due to noise/vibration, etc., all of which can make some medical conditions worse. And, yes, many lives have been saved by night VFR flights, that would otherwise have been lost, but the risks and benefits must be clearly balanced.....
Again, condolences for loss of these three fine folk, who were trying to help to the best of their ability.
NOtimTAMs
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Names released
Sunday, October 19, 2003. 1:43pm (AEST)
Authorities have begun investigations into Friday night's rescue helicopter crash that killed three men off Queensland's central coast.
The CQ rescue helicopter was on a routine medical retrival to Hamilton Island off Queensland's central coast when it crashed into the sea near Mackay killing all three on board.
Experts from Brisbane have arrived in the region to begin identifying the remains that were found near the site of a crash that killed the three crew.
Police have released their names - the pilot was New Zealand-born Andrew Carpenter, the crewman were Stewart Eva and paramedic Craig Liddington, all all aged 31.
Investigators are hoping to salvage the Bell 407 chopper to determine what went wrong during a routine medical evacuation from Hamilton Island.
The chopper is now six-and-a-half metres under water about 15 nautical miles north of Mackay near Cape Hillsborough.
Representatives of Bell and engine manufacturer Rolls Royce are on their way to assist in the investigation.
The salvage is expected to take several days with investigators yet to inspect audio and radar tapes in the lead up to the crash.
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Mike Reynolds says it is a shocking accident.
"Every day of the week our emergency services personnel risk their lives for Queenslanders every day, and our heart must be very much out to those who've lost their lives, their families and colleagues as well," he said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says the State Government will be looking closely at the report into the crash.
But he says his immediate thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
"Every day the paramedics and the services put their lives at risk," he said.
"They are real heroes and my commiserations and the commiserations of all Queenslanders go to the families of those men who tragically lost their lives."
It is the third rescue helicopter crash in central Queensland in the past three years, claiming eight lives.
Five people were killed three years ago when a Capricorn rescue helicopter ran low on fuel and crashed on a property near Marlborough.
One year later, two men escaped death when their rescue chopper ditched into the ocean near Swains Reef off Rockhampton.
Meanwhile, 240 kilometres off the coast of Gladstone, a search is underway for a man who fell overboard last night.
The alarm was raised around midnight when several passengers saw the man fall off the edge of the charter fishing boat.
ABC Online
The report has a picture and video footage of the recovery etc.
Authorities have begun investigations into Friday night's rescue helicopter crash that killed three men off Queensland's central coast.
The CQ rescue helicopter was on a routine medical retrival to Hamilton Island off Queensland's central coast when it crashed into the sea near Mackay killing all three on board.
Experts from Brisbane have arrived in the region to begin identifying the remains that were found near the site of a crash that killed the three crew.
Police have released their names - the pilot was New Zealand-born Andrew Carpenter, the crewman were Stewart Eva and paramedic Craig Liddington, all all aged 31.
Investigators are hoping to salvage the Bell 407 chopper to determine what went wrong during a routine medical evacuation from Hamilton Island.
The chopper is now six-and-a-half metres under water about 15 nautical miles north of Mackay near Cape Hillsborough.
Representatives of Bell and engine manufacturer Rolls Royce are on their way to assist in the investigation.
The salvage is expected to take several days with investigators yet to inspect audio and radar tapes in the lead up to the crash.
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Mike Reynolds says it is a shocking accident.
"Every day of the week our emergency services personnel risk their lives for Queenslanders every day, and our heart must be very much out to those who've lost their lives, their families and colleagues as well," he said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says the State Government will be looking closely at the report into the crash.
But he says his immediate thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
"Every day the paramedics and the services put their lives at risk," he said.
"They are real heroes and my commiserations and the commiserations of all Queenslanders go to the families of those men who tragically lost their lives."
It is the third rescue helicopter crash in central Queensland in the past three years, claiming eight lives.
Five people were killed three years ago when a Capricorn rescue helicopter ran low on fuel and crashed on a property near Marlborough.
One year later, two men escaped death when their rescue chopper ditched into the ocean near Swains Reef off Rockhampton.
Meanwhile, 240 kilometres off the coast of Gladstone, a search is underway for a man who fell overboard last night.
The alarm was raised around midnight when several passengers saw the man fall off the edge of the charter fishing boat.
ABC Online
The report has a picture and video footage of the recovery etc.
Steve 76,
SAR forcast we recieved that night:
Valid 172000Z to 180800Z
For coast between Mackay & Hamilton Island
Overview:
Very isolated showers sea and coast until 23Z
Winds:
SFC 120/18 1000 100/15 2000 070/15
Cloud:
SCT CUSU 2500/8000
Weather: SHRA
Vis: 4000m in SHRA
24deg
1015
Not a terrible night to fly WX wise??
SAR forcast we recieved that night:
Valid 172000Z to 180800Z
For coast between Mackay & Hamilton Island
Overview:
Very isolated showers sea and coast until 23Z
Winds:
SFC 120/18 1000 100/15 2000 070/15
Cloud:
SCT CUSU 2500/8000
Weather: SHRA
Vis: 4000m in SHRA
24deg
1015
Not a terrible night to fly WX wise??
NOtimTAMs, my thoughts exactly. Over the years I have often questioned the need to move non-urgent patients at night. My thoughts & sympathies are with the families of the crew.
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No disrespect for the crew or families
Having done a fair bit of MPT work in the area there are not many nights you would want to fly NVFR over water in the whitsundays... after leaving the coast from mackay to hamilton there are not many visual references on a black night, the approach to hamilton is from the south, the resort is on the northern side.... so not much visible lighting from the south.
this only leaves navigation by reference the instruments.... isn't that IFR????
Brisbane radar track apparently shows a right turn followed by a climbing sharp left turn, then steep descent before lost from radar.
Sadly this is another example that VFR machines should not be doing this off shore work at night especially in EMS where the pressure is high to get the job done or face criticism.
Praise must be given to the crew from Hamilton Island for the fast response and subsequent finding of the downed 407.
This was carried out in an IFR BK117 with two pilots, two crew and nitesun. Good work Garry....
Lets hope that the authorities finally get their act together, there have been too many NVFR EMS accidents in QLD over the past few years.... due to flight in non NVFR conditions.
Condolances to the families involved...
Scattercat & steve76
Lowest Safe Between MKY and HTI is 3000.
With a forcast of SCT CU/SC 2500/8000... its not too good seeing as your CRZ LVL VFR should be 4500
Also pilots flying in the area reported no moon that night, makes for a very black night over water.
Having done a fair bit of MPT work in the area there are not many nights you would want to fly NVFR over water in the whitsundays... after leaving the coast from mackay to hamilton there are not many visual references on a black night, the approach to hamilton is from the south, the resort is on the northern side.... so not much visible lighting from the south.
this only leaves navigation by reference the instruments.... isn't that IFR????
Brisbane radar track apparently shows a right turn followed by a climbing sharp left turn, then steep descent before lost from radar.
Sadly this is another example that VFR machines should not be doing this off shore work at night especially in EMS where the pressure is high to get the job done or face criticism.
Praise must be given to the crew from Hamilton Island for the fast response and subsequent finding of the downed 407.
This was carried out in an IFR BK117 with two pilots, two crew and nitesun. Good work Garry....
Lets hope that the authorities finally get their act together, there have been too many NVFR EMS accidents in QLD over the past few years.... due to flight in non NVFR conditions.
Condolances to the families involved...
Scattercat & steve76
Lowest Safe Between MKY and HTI is 3000.
With a forcast of SCT CU/SC 2500/8000... its not too good seeing as your CRZ LVL VFR should be 4500
Also pilots flying in the area reported no moon that night, makes for a very black night over water.
Last edited by trackdirect; 29th Oct 2003 at 06:56.
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Didnt know the other crew members but knew Andy Carpenter. As well as being a subscriber to my magazine since it started he was a very nice guy and a competent pilot. He spent about three years flying for Heli Pro at Wellington in New Zealand before moving to instruct on 300Cs in Melbourne.
Then he got a job with Marine Helicopters in Gladstone flying marine pilot transfers etc. He got a break only a few weeks ago flying the 407. For what its worth he died doing what he loved. Funeral is probably going to be in his hometown of Blenheim here in Kiwiland.
Will post any further details re funeral when I hear them.
Autorotate.
Then he got a job with Marine Helicopters in Gladstone flying marine pilot transfers etc. He got a break only a few weeks ago flying the 407. For what its worth he died doing what he loved. Funeral is probably going to be in his hometown of Blenheim here in Kiwiland.
Will post any further details re funeral when I hear them.
Autorotate.
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Another sad accident.
Without commenting on this specific tragdy, I would like to respond to the quote:
"Everyday the paramedics and the services put their lives at risk".
Why not reduce those risks by making the proper tools for the job available then?
Worldwide, HEMS aircraft seem to be at the bottom end of performance, equipment and last but not least, funding. Either recognise the limitations of those aircraft and stop tasking them for situations that they are not designed nor equipped for, or spend proper money and buy decent all weather equipment.
and do the required training on it.
It's not fair to ask people to put their lives on the line to save somebody else when the community or operator or whoever is to skint to pay for proper transport, and then to call them heroes if the inevitable accident occurs
Sorry for the rant, this is touching a nerve.
Without commenting on this specific tragdy, I would like to respond to the quote:
"Everyday the paramedics and the services put their lives at risk".
Why not reduce those risks by making the proper tools for the job available then?
Worldwide, HEMS aircraft seem to be at the bottom end of performance, equipment and last but not least, funding. Either recognise the limitations of those aircraft and stop tasking them for situations that they are not designed nor equipped for, or spend proper money and buy decent all weather equipment.
and do the required training on it.It's not fair to ask people to put their lives on the line to save somebody else when the community or operator or whoever is to skint to pay for proper transport, and then to call them heroes if the inevitable accident occurs
Sorry for the rant, this is touching a nerve.