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Helicopter Flies into Hangar

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Helicopter Flies into Hangar

Old 21st Mar 2007, 20:04
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Post Helicopter Flies into Hangar

Just seen this video clip Helicopter Flies into Hangar
Any opinions?
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Old 21st Mar 2007, 20:11
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Difficult to see the impact with the hangar from the video, but if it was that close then I wouldn't want to fly with that guy.
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Old 21st Mar 2007, 20:16
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This was on a thread earlier in the month called "R44 + Hangar = ?", have a look at that video, its possibly a little clearer... or just my eyesight..
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Old 21st Mar 2007, 20:22
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The fact it's an overhanging door on the hangar and he's facing it, does anyone else think the wearing of that baseball cap had any influence on his not being able to see it? I just think it's one of the factors here. Maybe not?
 
Old 21st Mar 2007, 20:22
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Yeah the guy's an as****e for blaming the kid !!


NTSB Identification: CHI04LA212.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 05, 2004 in Chesterfield, MO
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/7/2005
Aircraft: Robinson R44, registration: N7036J
Injuries: 1 Minor, 3 Uninjured.The helicopter was substantially damaged when the main rotor contacted an open hangar door during takeoff and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot stated that the helicopter was parked on the ramp approximately 35 feet from the hangar. The bi-fold hangar door was open and extended about 10 feet out over the ramp. He stated that after takeoff, as the aircraft began to move away from the hangar, the passenger in the left front seat "accidentally and inadvertently hit or bumped the counterweight portion of the cyclic." The helicopter drifted toward the open hangar door and before he could correct the drift the main rotor clipped the bottom edge of the door. He recalled: "I quickly maneuvered away from the hangar building and began to level the aircraft." The helicopter descended to the ramp. The subsequent hard landing caused the skids to collapse and the main rotor to sever the tail boom. A ground witness to the accident submitted a video recording of the accident flight. Review of the recording revealed that after the helicopter lifted-off, it paused in a hover for a few seconds and then began to climb out, subsequently contacting the door. No drift toward the hangar building was observed prior to rotor blade contact with the door.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning due to his selection of an unsuitable takeoff area and his failure to maintain clearance from the open hangar door. A contributing factor was the open hangar door.

SL
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Old 21st Mar 2007, 20:45
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" I appoligize" ?

I hope he decides to retire for everyones sake.

FA
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Old 21st Mar 2007, 22:49
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The pilot's inadequate preflight planning due to his selection of an unsuitable takeoff area and his failure to maintain clearance from the open hangar door.
Certainly true, If the pilot had uses more "common sense" by taking off in an open area clear of obstructions, hangar etc this would'nt have happened.

I agree with doublesix, I would not want to fly with this individual. Sorry but safety should be the number one priority for every aviator!

Still, glad to see know one was seriously injured

Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.
I Rest my case

BM
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Old 21st Mar 2007, 23:34
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Looks like a candidate for the darwin award.

Sadly, people like that end up taking innocent "non-darwin award" people with them when the wheel finally turns full circle and runs over them.

UL.
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 06:40
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Whatever happened to...

...the good old rule to hover at 3-5 feet and that of lifting the ship off the ground only after careful "balancing" with cyclic and pedals during a sloooow rise of the collective? People are in such a hurry to get the skids off the ground these days.

Every day I fly I see R22s and R44s hovering out to the landing pad at 10 meters. How hard will they hit the ground when the pistons start jumping?

I prefer a steady hover at a meter or less - it kind of feels safer...
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 11:31
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R44 + hangar door = $$$$$$$$$$$$

What I find amazing is the complete lack of awareness and urgency following the accident. Most people, pilots or not, are aware of the fireball that even a small amount of fuel vapour can become.

Lady luck was certainly on their side - which I suppose doesnt compensate them for their dreadful luck in the first place in finding themselves riding with this guy.

Even if the Bifold door was closed, he was still too close. Whoever decided to drop it there needs their bone idle butt kicked into the next County. Was the spring on the electric cart throttle a bit tough on the old digit?

No excuses. This guy failed as a captain of the aircraft in basic, fundamental ways from start to sorry finish.. If he had done this here I bet he would have found himself in court for endangerment?

Finally, he lied to the NTSB. The evidence is Prima Face. Isn't that a criminal offence?

HP
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 11:51
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I agree with all the points posted above however, surely this type of hangar door configuration is not compatible with rotary operations considering the close proximity of the helicopter landing and take off point? Yes, the pilot has poor airmanship and appreciation of his local surroundings but I can't help but think the infrastructure layout was/is a contributory factor.

h
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 11:58
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The original thread is at http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=266544 but to save everyone a lot of time, be advised that the you-tube video referred to above has been removed from the google site for 'legal reasons'.
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 12:17
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Captains judgement

Interesting response....

The captain has the legal obligation to ensure that his aircraft could be operated safely. It is his responsibiity completely. He was negligent - period.

I dont think even he could blame his accident on the decision to install BiFold doors. Although maybe he could......

H
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 13:13
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You can tell the Robinson products are helping everyone fly helicopters, even the common idiot.
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 14:39
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Gads, I just saw this yesterday but note it happened in 2004.

The guy's an idiot, period.

No hover power check performed. That says it all, because if done, he could have established no drift, etc. (Or better yet, move away from the hangar area to depart, why chance it? He had "All that room" away from the hangar, including perhaps air taxiing to a spot or runway for takeoff Hmm ... Poor decision making on his part, and it is not the position of the heli on the ramp that is a factor IMO. I'm sure we all typically have moved our birds out of the hangar typically to a position for liftoff, but NOT for takeoff, so I'm discounting the location, but that leads me to my theory:

This guy was showboating, plain and simple IMO: a botched hi-perf takeoff that wasn't even done vertically until he was clear of the hangar height, (that is my take on it, I mean listen to the narrator, this guy must have pumped them all up into going on a flight ...)

When I used to operate on the charlie ramp at FXE, those hangars and their locations were one of my highest priorities, we always maneuvered further down the taxiway for takeoffs, etc.

Blaming the kid was just poor form, and I agree with previous posters, he didn't seem to be getting over his shock too quickly to evacuate everyone.

The hangar door? Sure, it got in the way, but no one "moved" the door into his flight path not going to hold up, and didn't from the NTSB report.
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 14:41
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Hairy, totally agree with your comments and nor should the blame be attributed to the use of bi-fold doors but they were a contributory factor. A take off and departure point underneath any form of overhang is going to end in disaster at some point. The pilot clearly lied to the board of enquiry given the video evidence and this whole issue was totally avoidable. I still question this type of door regarding the proximity of rotary use. If the helicopter was parked further away this accident, arguably, would not have happened. The fact the pilot probably didn't do any after take off checks or a look out turn merely emphasises his poor airmanship.

h
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 15:04
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Hard to tell from the video, but I don't think it was underneath to begin with, hence my take on it.

If he was showboating a max per, he failed in keeping himself going straight up for at least until clearing that imaginary 50ft obstruction before moving in any direction (hopefully forward).

And if he was going straight up and hit it, it's still on him for allowing it to be positioned there, poor form.
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Old 23rd Mar 2007, 15:12
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As I have intimated throughout, this guy is guilty and I am not defending him in any way. My previous comments remain extant.

h
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