Wot, no rumour?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,113
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From: UK
Wot, no rumour?
'FOD' big enough to 'Cat 5' the main blades of a chopper and not even an inkling of a rumour out of the Capital City?
Very glad to hear no injuries, (apart from laundry bill, I suspect!)
Very glad to hear no injuries, (apart from laundry bill, I suspect!)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 46
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From: North of Bristol
Yeah, I’m surprised it took this long for someone to mention it here. 
Every time I look at the shrapnel that was once a 6’ x 4’ x 1/8” aluminium sign I wonder how on earth the blades stayed in one piece.
For some reason the AAIB team wanted to pay a visit to the scene (despite no injuries) and were in great praise of the helicopters ability to take such a beating with only any real damage limited to the blades. Even after eating the sign which included a 1˝ “ galvanised steel L section bar the blades remained straight and true if not a little worse for wear aft of the main spar.
At least they didn’t have to worry about the sign hitting the tail rotor as it doesn’t have one!!!!
My hats off to the crew who got her down that last 10 feet and the speedy recovery of the cab by the maintenance crew on a Sunday night.
Dr A
Every time I look at the shrapnel that was once a 6’ x 4’ x 1/8” aluminium sign I wonder how on earth the blades stayed in one piece.
For some reason the AAIB team wanted to pay a visit to the scene (despite no injuries) and were in great praise of the helicopters ability to take such a beating with only any real damage limited to the blades. Even after eating the sign which included a 1˝ “ galvanised steel L section bar the blades remained straight and true if not a little worse for wear aft of the main spar.
At least they didn’t have to worry about the sign hitting the tail rotor as it doesn’t have one!!!!
My hats off to the crew who got her down that last 10 feet and the speedy recovery of the cab by the maintenance crew on a Sunday night.
Dr A
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 160
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From: UK
Yes this was G-EHMS.
No it wasn't the same incident. This was in the last 2 weeks.
No it wasn't a road sign. This was a section of frontage of a tyre fitting garage that had previously been damaged (cause unknown) and had a very basic fix. This blew off with the downdraught when the Explorer was landing and flew through the blades. The site was I am told approximately 4D in size with no way of telling that the sign wasn't very secure. All the other sections were completely solid in their fixings.
No the crew's judgement was not at fault.
No it wasn't the same incident. This was in the last 2 weeks.
No it wasn't a road sign. This was a section of frontage of a tyre fitting garage that had previously been damaged (cause unknown) and had a very basic fix. This blew off with the downdraught when the Explorer was landing and flew through the blades. The site was I am told approximately 4D in size with no way of telling that the sign wasn't very secure. All the other sections were completely solid in their fixings.
No the crew's judgement was not at fault.
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 370
Likes: 18
From: Oman
Bear me old mate, I think I'm going to have to disagree with you! It's just one of the risks of landing in a congested area. A 4D site is a good size, I think the crew have just been unlucky. Assuming they did a good recce which I'm sure they would have, being HEMS.
The number of congested area landings/takeoffs that they do it would be unusual not to have the odd incident like this. Hitting the stationary roadsign is another matter of course but there but for the grace of God.......
Thank Goodness I'm not doing that stuff any more!
The number of congested area landings/takeoffs that they do it would be unusual not to have the odd incident like this. Hitting the stationary roadsign is another matter of course but there but for the grace of God.......
Thank Goodness I'm not doing that stuff any more!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 239
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From: South of North and East of West!
Judging by the time of year it is, I would hazard a guess that she is at PAS for her annual inspection. Last I heard, they were using a dark colour AS355. (See below) 
. If that's the case, she should be back very soon......
Perhaps someone could confirm my suspicions.
. If that's the case, she should be back very soon......Perhaps someone could confirm my suspicions.
Last edited by cptjim; 26th October 2006 at 23:01. Reason: Kan't speel !! ;0)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21
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From: London
Indeed they are, currently mostly using G-CDLP as pictured. Although a few different helicopters have been used since August. It would seem to not be a short term thing, as the helicopter has been given Ambulance markings, but that's just my thought..
Thanks cptjim..
Thanks cptjim..
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 239
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From: South of North and East of West!
......
MB, seems to be the norm to add the Ambulance graphics.
I'm not in the UK at the moment but my sources at LAS have told me it's just an annual, someone please correct me if there is any variation to that.
regards
Jim
MB, seems to be the norm to add the Ambulance graphics.
I'm not in the UK at the moment but my sources at LAS have told me it's just an annual, someone please correct me if there is any variation to that.
regards
Jim
Last edited by cptjim; 30th November 2006 at 20:07. Reason: Removed bad link
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 239
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From: South of North and East of West!
G-EHMS back over London.
Just read the latest issue of Police Aviation News and saw that G-EHMS, London HEMS, is back in the skies over London.
The reason for being away for so long was because it was the first airframe in the UK to have the extended tail boom.
I'm also guessing it had the annual inspection at the same time...it'd make sense.
Check out page 11 of PAN.
http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Ac...cember2006.pdf
I'll see if I can get some pics when I'm back in the UK in a few weeks.
Regards
Jim
The reason for being away for so long was because it was the first airframe in the UK to have the extended tail boom.
I'm also guessing it had the annual inspection at the same time...it'd make sense.
Check out page 11 of PAN.
http://www.policeaviationnews.com/Ac...cember2006.pdf
I'll see if I can get some pics when I'm back in the UK in a few weeks.
Regards
Jim
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 239
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From: South of North and East of West!
Pictures of the event!!
These are the pictures of the event as it happened, notice the fod in the rotor disc shown in the first picture...
Notice the sign that was next to the Open 7 days is missing!
Left antenna above the engine cowling has been sheared off.
Waiting to be collected.....you can now see the size of the blue Kwik Fit sign that entered the rotor disc!
Kudos to the crew for getting down safe!!
Safe landings
Jim
EDIT: Forgot to add, the event took place on Sunday 4th June 2006.
Notice the sign that was next to the Open 7 days is missing!
Left antenna above the engine cowling has been sheared off.
Waiting to be collected.....you can now see the size of the blue Kwik Fit sign that entered the rotor disc!
Kudos to the crew for getting down safe!!
Safe landings
Jim
EDIT: Forgot to add, the event took place on Sunday 4th June 2006.
Last edited by cptjim; 8th January 2007 at 21:31. Reason: See above
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21
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From: London
I can't help but feel that the extended length beyond the stabilizers might lead to an increase in tail boom knocks in tight landings. (Not for EHMS but generally for 902 owners)..
A few pics of the extension at www.kertappa.co.uk/hemsmenu.html in Holborn and Oxford Circus, unfortunately no closeups though.
Also the angle of the tailskid is now much greater than before to cover the extra length.
Thanks..
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 239
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From: South of North and East of West!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: South of North and East of West!
