KH4 Crash
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KH4 Crash
I understand that North Australian Helicopter recently over-pitched a KH4 with blade and subsequent skid damage.
Any have any further details?
Seems to be a continuing trend with this operator...I wonder how long before someone is fatally injured.
Any have any further details?
Seems to be a continuing trend with this operator...I wonder how long before someone is fatally injured.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Northern Territory
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Helibiggles, I can neither confirm or deny your question regarding the KH4 incident. However your concluding sentence is a slur on North Australian Helicopters. A destructive comment on one of only a few companies left in Australia that will give low time aviators a walk up chance of stepping into a piloting career. They should be applauded for the risk they take on and not spoken poorly of if an incident out of inexperience occurs. I believe it is fine to ask the question out of interest or concern but please leave your non constructive comments at home as they can have a damaging affect on a fragile industry.
Squeek
Your statement is bulls hit and you know it.
The only reason they take on low hour guys is because they get them for nothing.
We all know the scenario.
A lot of us were desperate at the start of our careers and would do almost anything to get those hours and a lot of operators took advantage of that
Your statement is bulls hit and you know it.
The only reason they take on low hour guys is because they get them for nothing.
We all know the scenario.
A lot of us were desperate at the start of our careers and would do almost anything to get those hours and a lot of operators took advantage of that
Squeek,
Sorry about the previous posting. Although it was made under my name it was not done by me. I must have failed to log off Pprune when using the computer at work and one of the other pilots at my company has posted using my name. I have no knowledge of your company or the incident referred to (I'm ex-military). I received an email which I assume was from you, and using your reference to Helibiggles I tracked down this thread, which I had not even read previously. I know who would have posted under my name, and unless there is an admission of guilt on this thread within 24 hours I will publish his name and email address. Pretty stupid thing to do considering I am doing a check ride on him in the morning...
Sorry about the previous posting. Although it was made under my name it was not done by me. I must have failed to log off Pprune when using the computer at work and one of the other pilots at my company has posted using my name. I have no knowledge of your company or the incident referred to (I'm ex-military). I received an email which I assume was from you, and using your reference to Helibiggles I tracked down this thread, which I had not even read previously. I know who would have posted under my name, and unless there is an admission of guilt on this thread within 24 hours I will publish his name and email address. Pretty stupid thing to do considering I am doing a check ride on him in the morning...
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To the real Mark Six, no appology required (And the email, it was not from me). To the imposter, most careers have some initial period, be it an apprentice, cadet or hangar rat, what's the big deal. Assuming you are about to have a check flight aboard an S76 out of Hong Kong, your apprenticeship has served you well. You got a chance, and NAH do pay their pilots. 
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Gidday Squeek,
Mark six's compatriots comments where spot on. Being one of the past employees of NAH (albeit quite a while ago) so I can confirm that they should be applauded for taking on new guys.
However, once in the new pilot becomes part of an organisation that has no initial or continuing training for the work they do. Management spout safety propaganda and then operate in the exact opposite manner. The standard of piloting skill they allow on jobs is simply dangerous. Guys with bare B47 ratings who are R22 trained and still are struggling with the throttle/collective correlation are introduced to operations too difficult for their ability. It all comes down to there unwillingness to pay for pilots with more experience.
This is not the first over-pitch incident the company has had and it will not be the last. In late '99 I watched one of their pilots overpitch onto Jabiru airport with subsequent skid damage. This year they lost an R22 mustering and the previous year it is alleged a pilot flew an R22 into the ground while in Day VFR. Form your own conclusion.
As for my inquiry causing "damaging comments to a fragile industry" I challenge you to consider the damage one death due to incompetence will make to the other piston contacts that operators of the NT rely on for income. The NT government contracts are some of the only ones that turbine machines are not always a requirement. I made a lot of firm friendships with the people I flew around the NT and my real concern is for their safety.
Fly safe
Mark six's compatriots comments where spot on. Being one of the past employees of NAH (albeit quite a while ago) so I can confirm that they should be applauded for taking on new guys.
However, once in the new pilot becomes part of an organisation that has no initial or continuing training for the work they do. Management spout safety propaganda and then operate in the exact opposite manner. The standard of piloting skill they allow on jobs is simply dangerous. Guys with bare B47 ratings who are R22 trained and still are struggling with the throttle/collective correlation are introduced to operations too difficult for their ability. It all comes down to there unwillingness to pay for pilots with more experience.
This is not the first over-pitch incident the company has had and it will not be the last. In late '99 I watched one of their pilots overpitch onto Jabiru airport with subsequent skid damage. This year they lost an R22 mustering and the previous year it is alleged a pilot flew an R22 into the ground while in Day VFR. Form your own conclusion.
As for my inquiry causing "damaging comments to a fragile industry" I challenge you to consider the damage one death due to incompetence will make to the other piston contacts that operators of the NT rely on for income. The NT government contracts are some of the only ones that turbine machines are not always a requirement. I made a lot of firm friendships with the people I flew around the NT and my real concern is for their safety.
Fly safe
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Attention Squeek and Mark six
Firstly apologies for the response under the wrong handle.
Squeek if what you said in your email is legit about your ops then all credit to you.
You are part of an extremely small majority.
Helibiggles has made a factual statement about the industry in Australia which although not desirable gives many guys their first chance.
A kick in the a.rse occasionally keeps me in check autorotate but it won't be from you
Firstly apologies for the response under the wrong handle.
Squeek if what you said in your email is legit about your ops then all credit to you.
You are part of an extremely small majority.
Helibiggles has made a factual statement about the industry in Australia which although not desirable gives many guys their first chance.
A kick in the a.rse occasionally keeps me in check autorotate but it won't be from you
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Anyone who fly's a KH4 or B47 will over pitch at some time. There are no exceptions.
There are the many who have been fortunate enough to have all their cards in favour when it has happened (ie: pulled something out of their butt) and there are the small few who have paid for it dearly. I have my own opinion of NAH the company, but for the pilot I have a great deal more sympathy.
There are the many who have been fortunate enough to have all their cards in favour when it has happened (ie: pulled something out of their butt) and there are the small few who have paid for it dearly. I have my own opinion of NAH the company, but for the pilot I have a great deal more sympathy.
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IHL,
The KH4 looks a little like a lama, if you look at it from about a mile or so....
It is basically the J model with no enclosed tail boom.
Guys, I also feel sorry for the pilot. It easily could've been me.
The BIG problem is the attitudes of the employers in that part of the country and their treatment of the pilots they have.
We have all been there and done that but I wonder how much longer the aviation community can contine to accept these substandard operators and their disregard for people and safe standards.
The KH4 looks a little like a lama, if you look at it from about a mile or so....
It is basically the J model with no enclosed tail boom.
Guys, I also feel sorry for the pilot. It easily could've been me.
The BIG problem is the attitudes of the employers in that part of the country and their treatment of the pilots they have.
We have all been there and done that but I wonder how much longer the aviation community can contine to accept these substandard operators and their disregard for people and safe standards.
