S-67 Blackhawk
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 3
From: Philadelphia PA
Slightly off topic, but relevant to Sikorsky today -
At the recent Helicopter Safety Team meeting in Montreal, the only helicopter manufacturer that had any really senior management there was Sikorsky - the boss himself came to stress the importance that Sikorsky places on safety.
Impressed this writer!
At the recent Helicopter Safety Team meeting in Montreal, the only helicopter manufacturer that had any really senior management there was Sikorsky - the boss himself came to stress the importance that Sikorsky places on safety.
Impressed this writer!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Adelaide, Australia
Thanks for putting this up. I had a good read of this thread... I always knew it existed but awesome to see footage of it. Pitty some of the greatest projects end up cancelled. Hats off to all those who take risks and push the boundaries in this industry. Simon
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Connecting
The front seat pilot died of impact injuries*. The rear pilot was rescued and was expected to survive, but passed away about a week later in hospital due to an embolism.
* Every accident has its lessons and years after-the-fact: " what-if's ". At the time when the S-67 was designed, one of the lessons of Vietnam, which was that a number of UH-1 pilots died because during the crash they submarined under the lap belt and were injured, sometimes fatally, by head contact with the cyclic, had not yet reached the helicopter manufacturing community. I always wondered if Stu Craig would have survived if he had had the next generation seat belt, which incorporated a crotch-strap. Particularly poignant for me as Stu and I shared an office.
Thanks,
John Dixson
* Every accident has its lessons and years after-the-fact: " what-if's ". At the time when the S-67 was designed, one of the lessons of Vietnam, which was that a number of UH-1 pilots died because during the crash they submarined under the lap belt and were injured, sometimes fatally, by head contact with the cyclic, had not yet reached the helicopter manufacturing community. I always wondered if Stu Craig would have survived if he had had the next generation seat belt, which incorporated a crotch-strap. Particularly poignant for me as Stu and I shared an office.
Thanks,
John Dixson
John I would love the chance to pick your brain if you’re open to it! Kurt Cannon is my grandfather. Reading threads like this is the only way I get to really learn about him. I would love to hear more!
- Averi Cannon
Joined: Nov 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,446
Likes: 367
From: Wildest Surrey
It was also the first year I had seen any aeros manoeuvres by a helicopter, when the MBB 105 pilot, Hoffman produced his full loop. Ex RAF Group Captain, Chuck Charles was OC the flying control committee and I chatted with him and the S-67 pilot at pilot briefing under the old control tower.
To set the scene, I was in the control tower at the time of the crash and witnessed it from the office above that of OC Flying. I'm not a helicopter expert but I do recall that there was very loud 'chop' from the rotor blades and the rotor disc itself formed a 'cone' shape. As the rate of descent and forward speed reduced I fully expected the aircraft to hit the ground and slide a few feet but instead it erupted in flames. Just before that, I said out loud 'he's going in; he's going in' and could hear one of the others standing there saying the same.
Gp Capt Chuck Charles (not an ex Gp Capt) was not OC of the FCC; the COEF (Commanding Officer Experimental Flying) in post always held that post and in 1974 that was Gp Capt 'Polly' Parratt who was posted out next year. Chuck Charles wasn't appointed to become COEF until about 4 years later; between those two came Gp Capt Reggie Spiers.
Last edited by chevvron; 16th October 2024 at 15:31.
