Helicopter crash Parkes NSW - fatality
PPRuNe Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Helicopter crash Parkes NSW - fatality
A HELICOPTER has crashed near the NSW central west town of Parkes.
Few details were initially available but it was believed the helicopter came down sometime this morning, an Air Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said.
It was not known whether anyone has been injured.
"According to a police report that came to us, there's debris on the road and some wreckage in the trees," the spokesman said.
The exact location of the crash was unknown, but he said it was believed to be somewhere between the central western towns of Parkes and Orange.
Few details were initially available but it was believed the helicopter came down sometime this morning, an Air Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said.
It was not known whether anyone has been injured.
"According to a police report that came to us, there's debris on the road and some wreckage in the trees," the spokesman said.
The exact location of the crash was unknown, but he said it was believed to be somewhere between the central western towns of Parkes and Orange.
Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18015453%255E1702,00.html
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All The Places I Shouldnt Be
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just been on the phone and was told it looks like it was a 206 with 3 onboard doing weed eradication and allegedly hit wires.
2 conf dead and one unaccounted for. Fire consumed helo so still looking for 3rd pax.
2 conf dead and one unaccounted for. Fire consumed helo so still looking for 3rd pax.
Not enough $$$ ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From ninemsn: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=82490
Three die in NSW chopper crash
Thursday Feb 2 13:50 AEDT
Three men have died in a fiery helicopter crash near the NSW central-west town of Parkes.
NSW police said two of the men are believed to be from Parkes, while their pilot is believed to be from south-west NSW.
The chopper came down in bushland about 23km east of Parkes on Orange Road after hitting a power line about 9.30am (AEDT).
The bodies are expected to be transferred to Sydney for post mortem examinations and formal identification, NSW police said.
The Bell Jetranger is thought to have been engaged in weed eradication, possibly for Parkes Council, at the time of the accident.
NSW Careflight's Ken Vote, a senior pilot at the service's central-west base in Orange, said he was among medical crew called to the crash.
"According to police and ambulance sources on scene it's alleged the helicopter, which is a Bell Jetranger type, was engaged in a weed eradication project," Mr Vote said.
"My guess would be that it was probably a reconnaissance for weed eradication and they were probably out on a survey."
As the Careflight crew approached the wreck it became clear the helicopter had crashed and burnt and at least one person was dead, Mr Vote said.
"(Emergency services on the ground) indicated they believed they'd found the remains of two people and believed there was a possible third," he said.
"They asked us to have a look around for a possible third body in the bush, but the bush is fairly thick."
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman had earlier reported debris on the road and some wreckage in the trees.
Emergency crews had to extinguish a fire at the scene and Orange Road is closed in both directions.
©AAP 2006
Three die in NSW chopper crash
Thursday Feb 2 13:50 AEDT
Three men have died in a fiery helicopter crash near the NSW central-west town of Parkes.
NSW police said two of the men are believed to be from Parkes, while their pilot is believed to be from south-west NSW.
The chopper came down in bushland about 23km east of Parkes on Orange Road after hitting a power line about 9.30am (AEDT).
The bodies are expected to be transferred to Sydney for post mortem examinations and formal identification, NSW police said.
The Bell Jetranger is thought to have been engaged in weed eradication, possibly for Parkes Council, at the time of the accident.
NSW Careflight's Ken Vote, a senior pilot at the service's central-west base in Orange, said he was among medical crew called to the crash.
"According to police and ambulance sources on scene it's alleged the helicopter, which is a Bell Jetranger type, was engaged in a weed eradication project," Mr Vote said.
"My guess would be that it was probably a reconnaissance for weed eradication and they were probably out on a survey."
As the Careflight crew approached the wreck it became clear the helicopter had crashed and burnt and at least one person was dead, Mr Vote said.
"(Emergency services on the ground) indicated they believed they'd found the remains of two people and believed there was a possible third," he said.
"They asked us to have a look around for a possible third body in the bush, but the bush is fairly thick."
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman had earlier reported debris on the road and some wreckage in the trees.
Emergency crews had to extinguish a fire at the scene and Orange Road is closed in both directions.
©AAP 2006
PPRuNe Time
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aviation investigators are on their way to the site of a helicopter crash that killed three people in the central west of New South Wales this morning.
The victims are believed to be two employees of the Parkes Shire Council and their pilot, who worked for a company based in Goulburn.
Wreckage is scattered across the road between Parkes and Orange, which has been closed to traffic.
Alan Stray from the Air Transport Safety Bureau says the helicopter is badly burnt, which may make the investigation more difficult.
"We understand from reports from police that the aircraft may have hit powerlines. We'll be looking to see if that is correct and then try to determine why," he said.
"If the pilot knew, was aware, that the powerlines were there, look at what the pilot was tasked to do."
The victims are believed to be two employees of the Parkes Shire Council and their pilot, who worked for a company based in Goulburn.
Wreckage is scattered across the road between Parkes and Orange, which has been closed to traffic.
Alan Stray from the Air Transport Safety Bureau says the helicopter is badly burnt, which may make the investigation more difficult.
"We understand from reports from police that the aircraft may have hit powerlines. We'll be looking to see if that is correct and then try to determine why," he said.
"If the pilot knew, was aware, that the powerlines were there, look at what the pilot was tasked to do."
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: parkes.yourguide.com.au
Helicopter crash
Friday, 3 February 2006
Two Parkes Shire Council employees undertaking an aerial weed inspection along with the pilot of a helicopter were killed instantly yesterday when their aircraft crashed on the Parkes-Orange Road after hitting an overhead power line.
All three victims were incinerated when the helicopter cockpit burst into flames on impact. It is believed the rotor-blades seperated after coming into contact with the power-line causing the cabin to flip and crash to the ground.
Parkes Shire Council had engaged South West Helicopter Services based in Cootamundra to carry out inspections of inaccessible areas for noxious weeds.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 9.30am in the Bumberry Hills 25 kilometres east of Parkes on the Orange Road. It is understood the helicopter - a Bell Jet Ranger aircraft - took off from Parkes Airport
An eyewitness to the tragedy was yesterday afternoon assisting authorities with their inquires.
While sections of the helicopter propeller were strewn throughout the area, the main cabin of the aircraft crashed into a small ravine that had been prepared as a firebreak.
A small grass fire erupted but because of the humid conditions and lack of wind was easily extinguished by firefighters - despite scorching 40C temperatures.
Parkes Shire Council was yesterday still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mayor Robert Wilson said councillors and staff had been shocked and upset when informed of the crash.
Cr Wilson extended a brief statement.
Helicopter crash
Friday, 3 February 2006
Two Parkes Shire Council employees undertaking an aerial weed inspection along with the pilot of a helicopter were killed instantly yesterday when their aircraft crashed on the Parkes-Orange Road after hitting an overhead power line.
All three victims were incinerated when the helicopter cockpit burst into flames on impact. It is believed the rotor-blades seperated after coming into contact with the power-line causing the cabin to flip and crash to the ground.
Parkes Shire Council had engaged South West Helicopter Services based in Cootamundra to carry out inspections of inaccessible areas for noxious weeds.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 9.30am in the Bumberry Hills 25 kilometres east of Parkes on the Orange Road. It is understood the helicopter - a Bell Jet Ranger aircraft - took off from Parkes Airport
An eyewitness to the tragedy was yesterday afternoon assisting authorities with their inquires.
While sections of the helicopter propeller were strewn throughout the area, the main cabin of the aircraft crashed into a small ravine that had been prepared as a firebreak.
A small grass fire erupted but because of the humid conditions and lack of wind was easily extinguished by firefighters - despite scorching 40C temperatures.
Parkes Shire Council was yesterday still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mayor Robert Wilson said councillors and staff had been shocked and upset when informed of the crash.
Cr Wilson extended a brief statement.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: AUS
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only map I have of that area is a 2002 WAC. It doesn't show a wire on that road. I did hear this morning that it was fairly high. Do you know whether it ran across the road or alongside it Graeme ?? When I worked with S.T. he was pretty wire conscious
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Overpitched,
WAC charts only show the Transmission power lines on them, and I believe this was a smaller one, possibly an 11KV line. If accounts are correct then one doesn't expect the to be at 150' AGL.
As a pilot having been too close to the bloody things while out there working, I only know that no matter how careful one is there are those power lines that can take you by surprise. If he was travelling to the east, as he departed Parkes, then at that time of the day the sun would have been a concideration in him not seeing the line during his scan.
RIP S.T.
VX.
WAC charts only show the Transmission power lines on them, and I believe this was a smaller one, possibly an 11KV line. If accounts are correct then one doesn't expect the to be at 150' AGL.
As a pilot having been too close to the bloody things while out there working, I only know that no matter how careful one is there are those power lines that can take you by surprise. If he was travelling to the east, as he departed Parkes, then at that time of the day the sun would have been a concideration in him not seeing the line during his scan.
RIP S.T.
VX.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: AUS
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not enough $$$ ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the USA, they took the big orange hazard balls OFF the power lines because having them on was admitting they were dangerous, therefore if someone hit them and was injured or killed, the owner of the wires could be sued because they didn't do "enough" to make sure nobody hit them. Bloody lawyers.
Besides the difficulties involved in putting them up - like extra weight on the lines, and the fact that there are thousands of kilometres of wires all over the country that would have to done, would something like this make a difference to wire strike accident numbers?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edited to add that the comment in my first paragraph appears to be untrue, this was an old story that I heard a while ago and just regurgitated without checking. A little Googling has found quite the opposite, in fact the USA requires lines to be marked if they don't meet visibility guidelines. And here's a link to a legal case where they won because the lines WEREN'T marked.
So ... why don't we do this in Australia?
Besides the difficulties involved in putting them up - like extra weight on the lines, and the fact that there are thousands of kilometres of wires all over the country that would have to done, would something like this make a difference to wire strike accident numbers?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edited to add that the comment in my first paragraph appears to be untrue, this was an old story that I heard a while ago and just regurgitated without checking. A little Googling has found quite the opposite, in fact the USA requires lines to be marked if they don't meet visibility guidelines. And here's a link to a legal case where they won because the lines WEREN'T marked.
So ... why don't we do this in Australia?
Last edited by wishtobflying; 6th Feb 2006 at 02:00.
wires 'n oz
Originally Posted by wishtobflying
.
So ... why don't we do this in Australia?
So ... why don't we do this in Australia?
plus
Oz standards say the only place to be legally marked is the approaches to landing zones - it was a while ago that I was invloved in one of the court cases - I think the terminolgy referred to fixed wing strips.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SYDNEY
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been without internet for 6 weeks and have just read this thread.RIP S.T, condolences to all concerned.
Having lost a few friends to wire strikes, I always question the circumstances surrounding yet another one. Low flying operations are inherently dangerous; powerlines are not the only thing down there that will bring one unstuck. The risk of hitting powerlines will never be eliminated. We can only reduce it.
After the wire strikes during last years plague locust operations, the agencies involved employed "consultants". Their answer to eliminating the risk was simple;
"Do Not Descend Below 500ft Agl"
I
n my opinion they should have said, "Do not fly in a helicopter". This would have totally eliminated the risks involved in this kind of work, and we would have been only slightly less effective in completing our objective (to find locusts).
Flying hours and experience do not seem to be a major factor in wire strikes.
I personally know of three fatalities in which each pilot had 10,000hrs+,
One of these also had thousands of hours of powerline operations.
There is one common factor with all wire strikes....... The pilot did not see the wire.
I have worked closely with powerline companies on all types of operations including patrolling stringing and installation of marker balls. On one stinging job I asked them why they were not installing a marker ball on the line I was stringing, it was easy and cheap to do at this time. Their answer was they did not think about it.
It was obvious to me that the line would be a danger to aircraft. It was alonside the inland lane west of Williamtown airspace, it was a SWER line across a valley, and the poles were hidden amongst trees. I am currently tyring to find out what the powerline companies policy is on the installation of marker balls.
Several years ago a company that I was working for provided a quote to a NSW powerline company to install marker balls on all spans that were greater than 45m Agl. They only wanted a quote for a specific area of lines, which they considered to be in areas of high helicopter traffic. For those of you who know the area it was around Kuringai National park and the quote was requested in response to inquiries made by NPWS.
Needless to say the quote was never approved as it involved hundreds of hours of helicopter platform work, which runs out at about 3-4 times the hourly rate of a heli without a platform.
The wire that S.T hit was allegedly 150ft Agl. I am still trying to confirm this. I am also trying to confirm if in fact it was a wire that I had personally patrolled 2 years ago and recommended marker balls be installed. At this stage I suspect it is.
I am currently thinking about a powerline proximity device and would appreciate any information on any other such devices that anyone out there has seen or used.
At the moment all I can say to all pilots operating low level is this
1 Brief all passengers and crew about wires…more eyes, more chance.
2.Do a high level recon…. spend the time; the customer is paying for it.
3.Whenever descending below ridge, hill or treetop height, be aware and stay aware…COMPLACENCEY KILLS.
Having lost a few friends to wire strikes, I always question the circumstances surrounding yet another one. Low flying operations are inherently dangerous; powerlines are not the only thing down there that will bring one unstuck. The risk of hitting powerlines will never be eliminated. We can only reduce it.
After the wire strikes during last years plague locust operations, the agencies involved employed "consultants". Their answer to eliminating the risk was simple;
"Do Not Descend Below 500ft Agl"
I
n my opinion they should have said, "Do not fly in a helicopter". This would have totally eliminated the risks involved in this kind of work, and we would have been only slightly less effective in completing our objective (to find locusts).
Flying hours and experience do not seem to be a major factor in wire strikes.
I personally know of three fatalities in which each pilot had 10,000hrs+,
One of these also had thousands of hours of powerline operations.
There is one common factor with all wire strikes....... The pilot did not see the wire.
I have worked closely with powerline companies on all types of operations including patrolling stringing and installation of marker balls. On one stinging job I asked them why they were not installing a marker ball on the line I was stringing, it was easy and cheap to do at this time. Their answer was they did not think about it.
It was obvious to me that the line would be a danger to aircraft. It was alonside the inland lane west of Williamtown airspace, it was a SWER line across a valley, and the poles were hidden amongst trees. I am currently tyring to find out what the powerline companies policy is on the installation of marker balls.
Several years ago a company that I was working for provided a quote to a NSW powerline company to install marker balls on all spans that were greater than 45m Agl. They only wanted a quote for a specific area of lines, which they considered to be in areas of high helicopter traffic. For those of you who know the area it was around Kuringai National park and the quote was requested in response to inquiries made by NPWS.
Needless to say the quote was never approved as it involved hundreds of hours of helicopter platform work, which runs out at about 3-4 times the hourly rate of a heli without a platform.
The wire that S.T hit was allegedly 150ft Agl. I am still trying to confirm this. I am also trying to confirm if in fact it was a wire that I had personally patrolled 2 years ago and recommended marker balls be installed. At this stage I suspect it is.
I am currently thinking about a powerline proximity device and would appreciate any information on any other such devices that anyone out there has seen or used.
At the moment all I can say to all pilots operating low level is this
1 Brief all passengers and crew about wires…more eyes, more chance.
2.Do a high level recon…. spend the time; the customer is paying for it.
3.Whenever descending below ridge, hill or treetop height, be aware and stay aware…COMPLACENCEY KILLS.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Todd,
Wires 130 feet above Parkes-Manildra road level, 23K from Parkes .
Two cables spanning valley running East to West.
Poles 3K apart - top of poles below tree line on top of hills.
Hope this helps.
Diatryma
Wires 130 feet above Parkes-Manildra road level, 23K from Parkes .
Two cables spanning valley running East to West.
Poles 3K apart - top of poles below tree line on top of hills.
Hope this helps.
Diatryma
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ATSB Preliminary Report
ATSB have released their Preliminary Report - doesn't add much.
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200600523.aspx
Di
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200600523.aspx
Di
