Pictures of Helicopter Wire Strikes
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Hi Shawn,
I spent a lot of time with a B206 C-FIPH in the mid 1980's, which later had a fatal wire strike. Perhaps you can dig up an accident report and photos. I do not have any, and heard ot was not a pretty sight. I did see the wreckage in storage up in Sudbury years later, really , only the belly pan and skids were there on the shelf, I think the rest was in a small box somewhere.
I was told that V.S., the pilot, took out one wire in the main Ontario Hydro transmission lines somewhere around Brockville, but fouled in the rest, as the machine had lost all of its energy. It was found by a Ontario Hydro helicopter crew, who were investigating the resulting power outage.
I do have a contact who might know more about it.
I hope that helps a little,
Pilot DAR
I spent a lot of time with a B206 C-FIPH in the mid 1980's, which later had a fatal wire strike. Perhaps you can dig up an accident report and photos. I do not have any, and heard ot was not a pretty sight. I did see the wreckage in storage up in Sudbury years later, really , only the belly pan and skids were there on the shelf, I think the rest was in a small box somewhere.
I was told that V.S., the pilot, took out one wire in the main Ontario Hydro transmission lines somewhere around Brockville, but fouled in the rest, as the machine had lost all of its energy. It was found by a Ontario Hydro helicopter crew, who were investigating the resulting power outage.
I do have a contact who might know more about it.
I hope that helps a little,
Pilot DAR
Avoid imitations
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There was a very interesting (!) report in Air Clues (IIRC) some twenty years ago about a British Army Lynx which snagged a cable across a Norwegian fiord with a skid and became "hung up" and eventually went inverted. The energy of the aircraft was absorbed relatively gently as it was such a long cable run. The pilot eventually manoeuvred the aircraft free, or rather it fell off the cable and it was recovered to the shore for a change of aircrew underclothing. No photos though.
I lost three colleagues to the 1979 Rhodesia wire strike accident (Archie Cook, Mike Smith, Bob Hodges) and an ex-instructor mate (Chas Chubb) in an Australian Chinook wire strike; Chas was on an Oz exchange tour. There was hardly anything left of the first; the biggest piece of the aircraft I saw photographed was an engine oil cooler.
I lost three colleagues to the 1979 Rhodesia wire strike accident (Archie Cook, Mike Smith, Bob Hodges) and an ex-instructor mate (Chas Chubb) in an Australian Chinook wire strike; Chas was on an Oz exchange tour. There was hardly anything left of the first; the biggest piece of the aircraft I saw photographed was an engine oil cooler.
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Wow guys, some amazing stories
That 206L is totaled JE, how long was the drop? Amazing
Heres a link i found relating to a wire strike
Aircraft Accident Reconstruction - Case Study - Helicopter
Simon
That 206L is totaled JE, how long was the drop? Amazing
Heres a link i found relating to a wire strike
Aircraft Accident Reconstruction - Case Study - Helicopter
Simon
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Shawn I couldn't find any accident reports on the four CF wirestrikes I am familiar with but all landed safely thanks to the wire strike protection kits. One Kiowa, two Twin Hueys and a Griffon. As for damage - windshields cracked, OAT probes and antennas cleanly removed and all crew seat cushions needed replacing. The Kiowa was on approach, the others were in cruise. As good as the wirestrike kit is it apparently (second hand knowledge) doesn't cut barb wire strong across a valley at 1000'. It will however hold onto it nicely while the mast and rotor wind it in for you 
I used to have a picture of that Twin Huey but couldn't find it for you.
I am a big fan of the wire strike protection kit after seeing it save a few friends.
I used to have a picture of that Twin Huey but couldn't find it for you.
I am a big fan of the wire strike protection kit after seeing it save a few friends.
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I vaguely remember a story about a Canadian Sea King that took out a high tension wire somewhere close to the Halifax Airport with its tail wheel. As a result the power was knocked out to a local lobster pound and somewhere in the neighbourhood of 200,000 dollars worth of lobster was ruined. Bet the Pilot had a lot of explaining to do?
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An example of how the fixed wing community deal with the issue
Power line crash leaves aircraft hanging around | Metro.co.uk
Power line crash leaves aircraft hanging around | Metro.co.uk
