Helicopter down in Brisbane - incl ATSB Report
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Helicopter down in Brisbane - incl ATSB Report
Just heard on the radio something about a helicopter going down at the helipad on the Brisbane River. Anyone got any details yet?
We heard lots of fire trucks going past on the way down to the river then heard it on the radio but no other news yet.
We heard lots of fire trucks going past on the way down to the river then heard it on the radio but no other news yet.
Last edited by wishtobflying; 30th Jul 2004 at 02:50.
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Good news - pilot & passenger walked away with very minor injuries.
Brisbane Helicopters Agusta 109, helicopter upside down in the water. I'm going to go down in a few minutes and see if I can get a picture to post.
Above was from local TV news room.
Brisbane Helicopters Agusta 109, helicopter upside down in the water. I'm going to go down in a few minutes and see if I can get a picture to post.
Above was from local TV news room.
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shiny side down
just saw news on 10. Looks like a 109 in the drink. According to 10 the pilots were slightly injured with one suffering head injuries. Hopefully both are ok
Should hemets be compulsory in all ops?.........makes you think
Should hemets be compulsory in all ops?.........makes you think
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Helicopter in Brisbane
It was Barry Sheene's old 109, both occupants dragged from the brissy river minor injuries
Heard they come into contact with the handrails of the pontoon which caused dynamic rollover. *(eye witness)
Heard they come into contact with the handrails of the pontoon which caused dynamic rollover. *(eye witness)
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Pictures
I went down to the river and got some pictures (below) and spoke to the Channel 7 crew that was on the scene first.
Guys in the helicopter (two) seemed to be okay, one had some superficial head cuts and the other some cuts on his hand but otherwise looked okay. I didn't see them there personally but saw some camera footage that showed the guys getting treated and they looked pretty much okay, just a bit waterlogged.
Speculation at the moment is that he came in too fast, possibly caught something, tail rotor dug in (you can see some damage to the surface of the helipad itself), spun around and flipped over. Channel 7 crew was across the river at Southbank filming something and heard the helicopter coming in, switched off their camera to wait until the noise finished, had their backs to the helipad when they heard a bang and they turned around to see the helicopter on its back already. So the speculation that it happened "on takeoff" doesn't sound right.
Apparently some blade parts were found across the river at Southbank, fortunate really that nobody on the riverwalk was injured. Lots of fuel in the water, very heavy smell in the air.
A big thank you to Graeme at Blue Tongue for hosting pics:
Blade parts pulled out of the water and put on the walkway - note brown mark on the helipad where something (tail rotor?) dug in:
The walkway is holding up the front of the helicopter - lucky the handrail didn't go further into the cockpit area.
Guys in the helicopter (two) seemed to be okay, one had some superficial head cuts and the other some cuts on his hand but otherwise looked okay. I didn't see them there personally but saw some camera footage that showed the guys getting treated and they looked pretty much okay, just a bit waterlogged.
Speculation at the moment is that he came in too fast, possibly caught something, tail rotor dug in (you can see some damage to the surface of the helipad itself), spun around and flipped over. Channel 7 crew was across the river at Southbank filming something and heard the helicopter coming in, switched off their camera to wait until the noise finished, had their backs to the helipad when they heard a bang and they turned around to see the helicopter on its back already. So the speculation that it happened "on takeoff" doesn't sound right.
Apparently some blade parts were found across the river at Southbank, fortunate really that nobody on the riverwalk was injured. Lots of fuel in the water, very heavy smell in the air.
A big thank you to Graeme at Blue Tongue for hosting pics:
Blade parts pulled out of the water and put on the walkway - note brown mark on the helipad where something (tail rotor?) dug in:
The walkway is holding up the front of the helicopter - lucky the handrail didn't go further into the cockpit area.
Glad everyone is okay...but can you imagine the telephone call to the Boss Fellah? I hope I never have to make or receive one of them!
Since everyone is okay....is a caption contest in order here?
Since everyone is okay....is a caption contest in order here?
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Apparently the word at this stage is that the "Boss Fellah" was the pilot at the time!
Channel 9 is reporting
... which is unlikely, as the only thing in front of the helipad is a freeway that's about 10m high and about 40m from the river's edge. If the helicopter had hit that it wouldn't have ended with minor injuries I don't think, and wouldn't have made it back to the edge of the pontoon.
Channel 9 is reporting
A police spokesman said the helicopter was attempting to take off about 8.45am (AEST) from the Queen Street Wharf helipad in the Brisbane CBD when it hit a wall and crashed into the river.
Last edited by wishtobflying; 30th Jul 2004 at 04:35.
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I've been told that the tr might have cought the railing when he turned around to depart.
Is the helipad certified for aircraft with wheels?Does it have a weight limit.
Good to hear that everyone is OK
From what I read here the "boss fella" was not the pilot?http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/c...55E952,00.html
Is the helipad certified for aircraft with wheels?Does it have a weight limit.
Good to hear that everyone is OK
From what I read here the "boss fella" was not the pilot?http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/c...55E952,00.html
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Fair enough - looks like a more complete story from the Courier Mail. I was going from what the people at the scene said, which was a few hours after it happened.
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Helicopters Brisbane?
Aren't they the same operator who had the "finger trouble" with the MD600N last year?
Very expensive year!
Very lucky to have escaped serious injury looking at the photos.
Aren't they the same operator who had the "finger trouble" with the MD600N last year?
Very expensive year!
Very lucky to have escaped serious injury looking at the photos.
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just saw the late news 1200pm......
a long story on the event. news reports stated that the pontoon may not have been suitable for the weight of the acft.
looking at the shots it looked like a hole in the pontoon, possibly from the right landing gear. they believe a dynamic rollover occured from the right gear being stuck in the platform. which makes sense.
they have as a result closed the helipad....damn shame.
showed pics of the pilot..who was clearly distressed and told the camera man to give it a break. as you would
channel 10 news really beat it up tonight saying "a helicopter span wildly out of control nearly missing nearby motorist's"
they certainly know how to exaggerate..
anyway enought babbling...im heading for another nightcap!!!
a long story on the event. news reports stated that the pontoon may not have been suitable for the weight of the acft.
looking at the shots it looked like a hole in the pontoon, possibly from the right landing gear. they believe a dynamic rollover occured from the right gear being stuck in the platform. which makes sense.
they have as a result closed the helipad....damn shame.
showed pics of the pilot..who was clearly distressed and told the camera man to give it a break. as you would
channel 10 news really beat it up tonight saying "a helicopter span wildly out of control nearly missing nearby motorist's"
they certainly know how to exaggerate..
anyway enought babbling...im heading for another nightcap!!!
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I understand, that CASA may have been in receipt of documentation regarding the weight restrictions of this pontoon, and possibly failed to circulate this information to relevant operators. Instead chasing little personal agendas. What are you doing CASA ???????
What are you saying John A? That CASA were responsible for sending out the weight limit for each helicopter pad used? And/Or that pavement concession numbers for wheeled helicopters are the responsibility of CASA?
And are you saying that they were purposely not passing on information due to personal bias?
Gee, I really hope you are wrong.
And are you saying that they were purposely not passing on information due to personal bias?
Gee, I really hope you are wrong.
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John Abersynth
The Brisbane River Helipad (YBVH) is not a free-for-all public use facility. As with any landing area the pilot/operator needs the owner's permission for access.
The Qld Premier's Department allow helicopters to use the YBVH if they have shown that they have appropriate insurance cover and have signed the "Conditions of Use Contract" which clearly stipulate that the max. weight is 2000kgs. This I am told is a bouyancy issue not a structural integrity one.
This pilot either chose to ignore the conditions of use or did not have permission to use the helipad.
CASA do not approve HLSs - they only publish an advisory circular CAAP 92 which places the responsibility of safe operation clearly with the pilot in command where it should be.
Pre 1989 - if I remember after much time and effort from the Helicopter Association the antiquated AGA-7 legislation was abolished - a very positive step forward for the industry as that outdated set of rules severly restricted helicopter operations -especially charter.
Unfortunately I can see the YBVH going the same way after this accident - a real shame after over 20 years of safe operation.
The Brisbane River Helipad (YBVH) is not a free-for-all public use facility. As with any landing area the pilot/operator needs the owner's permission for access.
The Qld Premier's Department allow helicopters to use the YBVH if they have shown that they have appropriate insurance cover and have signed the "Conditions of Use Contract" which clearly stipulate that the max. weight is 2000kgs. This I am told is a bouyancy issue not a structural integrity one.
This pilot either chose to ignore the conditions of use or did not have permission to use the helipad.
CASA do not approve HLSs - they only publish an advisory circular CAAP 92 which places the responsibility of safe operation clearly with the pilot in command where it should be.
Pre 1989 - if I remember after much time and effort from the Helicopter Association the antiquated AGA-7 legislation was abolished - a very positive step forward for the industry as that outdated set of rules severly restricted helicopter operations -especially charter.
Unfortunately I can see the YBVH going the same way after this accident - a real shame after over 20 years of safe operation.