Helicopter Crash In Bettystown Ireland
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Regardless of licence or experience any pilot shoud not have taken an S76 into this congested area or any helicopter for that matter. Plain common sense should tell you that the area is completely unsuitable due to location, size, reject area and lamp posts!
It is just a complete lack of this that caused this needless accident, has been the cause of many in the past and will probably continue in the future unfortunatly.
It is just a complete lack of this that caused this needless accident, has been the cause of many in the past and will probably continue in the future unfortunatly.
Show some respect guys
I think some of you pilots should show some professionalism and courtesy to a fellow pilot. I feel name calling and slagging is unacceptable and I wish you all fly safe and don't end up being a Thread yourselves.
The press are feeding off this thread and they will quote anything so please be decent.
The press are feeding off this thread and they will quote anything so please be decent.
Last edited by funfinn2000; 4th Oct 2008 at 19:24. Reason: grammar
Chief Bottle Washer
Another round of posts with nothing to say on topic: gone.......
Those of you who think it smart to re-post their deleted offerings, think again. I have already reminded earlier in this thread about the media quoting from Rotorheads: unsubstantiated rubbish will be put where it belongs, in the bin
And those who did re-post, go somewhere else if you don't want to accept the terms and conditions that you agreed to when joining PPRuNe
Those of you who think it smart to re-post their deleted offerings, think again. I have already reminded earlier in this thread about the media quoting from Rotorheads: unsubstantiated rubbish will be put where it belongs, in the bin
And those who did re-post, go somewhere else if you don't want to accept the terms and conditions that you agreed to when joining PPRuNe
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hi monk,
from the inside track, yes he did have more than the requirements to fly the aircraft and insurers have talked to him and the owner should recieve their insurance money relatively quick, unfortunately as senior pilot says a lot of rubbish by people who obviously dont know much about aviation, but then thats the rumour network.
from the inside track, yes he did have more than the requirements to fly the aircraft and insurers have talked to him and the owner should recieve their insurance money relatively quick, unfortunately as senior pilot says a lot of rubbish by people who obviously dont know much about aviation, but then thats the rumour network.
Guys dont let the truth get in the way of a good rumour, thats what this site seems to be about
unfortunately as senior pilot says a lot of rubbish by people who obviously dont know much about aviation, but then thats the rumour network.
Avoid imitations
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I'm surprised the mods have allowed this thread to remain at all, considering the way it has been taken. The pilot's name is in the public domain, as is his photograph. Some seem to be using the forum to be judge and jury. There is now an investigation in progress so the facts will be brought out. Why not cease this unwise speculation and wait until it is completed?
Wait for the official report?? People, please. It's not like this is Pam Ann/KLM collision at Tenerife or one of the two U.S. space shuttle explosions. A guy stuck a rotor into an obstacle and the ship ended up on its side. As SASless would agree, we're not exactly plowing new ground here in terms of the way this one went down, pun intended.
There is no doubt that communication between the pilot and his passengers was questionable. They were supposed to go on to Dublin, but the pilot reportedly didn't know that...they had permission to land in the parking lot, but he landed on the beach instead...
Okay, I think we can all - or at least, any of us who've flown Corporate - figure out what happened:
The rest is history.
A lot of us have been there. I know I have.
Now. Whether or not the pilot was properly rated/certificated/licensed to fly an S-76 as a commercial pilot will be easy enough to sort out. No rumor-mongering needed, not even on a Profession Pilot Rumor Network website. He was or he wasn't. If he wasn't, it's not the end of the world. He'll just have to deal with the consequences. And let's not even entertain the fantasy that he was really a "sales manager" (wink-wink) or some such for the company and was given an S-76 with with to visit clients. He was the driver...the paid driver, let's be honest.
The very sad part is that this pilot's career in the U.K. is probably done. Anywhere he goes, hat and CV in hand, a prospective employer is going to go, "You flew a '76 for Seamus Belton, eh? Hmm, Seamus Belton...Seamus Belton...that name rings a... Oh yeah! I saw that on YouTube! Thanks for stopping by though."
There is no doubt that communication between the pilot and his passengers was questionable. They were supposed to go on to Dublin, but the pilot reportedly didn't know that...they had permission to land in the parking lot, but he landed on the beach instead...
Okay, I think we can all - or at least, any of us who've flown Corporate - figure out what happened:
Pilot had probably never been to this Bettystown site before. Owner probably told him in advance, "Plenty o' room! Oh, you could land three '76's in our parking lot!" Pilot gets there and while circling overhead says, "Uhhh, I'm just gonna land on that nice, big beach there instead, mate." And does just that. Owner gets out, gets sand all over his expensive shoes, then leans in and says to the pilot (words to the effect of), "Put the g*$^*#m helicopter in the parking lot by the time I get back!!!" Pilot, not wanting to lose his cushy S-76 job, takes a deep breath and figures, "Well, I'll give it a go. I'm good, I can do this..."
The rest is history.
A lot of us have been there. I know I have.
Now. Whether or not the pilot was properly rated/certificated/licensed to fly an S-76 as a commercial pilot will be easy enough to sort out. No rumor-mongering needed, not even on a Profession Pilot Rumor Network website. He was or he wasn't. If he wasn't, it's not the end of the world. He'll just have to deal with the consequences. And let's not even entertain the fantasy that he was really a "sales manager" (wink-wink) or some such for the company and was given an S-76 with with to visit clients. He was the driver...the paid driver, let's be honest.
The very sad part is that this pilot's career in the U.K. is probably done. Anywhere he goes, hat and CV in hand, a prospective employer is going to go, "You flew a '76 for Seamus Belton, eh? Hmm, Seamus Belton...Seamus Belton...that name rings a... Oh yeah! I saw that on YouTube! Thanks for stopping by though."
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Here's a little something from today's Sunday Times.
American aircraft face crackdown - Times Online.
American aircraft face crackdown - Times Online.
Avoid imitations
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FH1100,
I think you'll find the accident didn't occur in the UK.
I think you'll find the accident didn't occur in the UK.
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From The Sunday Times (UK)
October 5, 2008
'IAA, the aviation safety regulator, has asked Revenue and the Department of Justice to examine the legality of using American-registered aircraft for commercial gain in Ireland.'
The Questions:
Why is the IAA, Dept. of Justice only taking action now? Where is the pressure coming from does any one know?
October 5, 2008
'IAA, the aviation safety regulator, has asked Revenue and the Department of Justice to examine the legality of using American-registered aircraft for commercial gain in Ireland.'
The Questions:
Why is the IAA, Dept. of Justice only taking action now? Where is the pressure coming from does any one know?
ShyTorque:
Shy, if you examine my post *very* closely, I think you'll find that I never said that the accident occurred in the U.K.
I think you'll find the accident didn't occur in the UK.
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As I understand it, the IAA and AAIU have being waiting for the "smoking hole in the groung including fatalities" so to speak for a while in relation to N reg heli's operating in Ireland.
This accident could have being so much worse than it was, (walking wounded only in a built area), but it has rattled people.
I think the article in the Sunday Times is the IAA marking cards and letting people know things are now going to change. Let's wait and see.
This accident could have being so much worse than it was, (walking wounded only in a built area), but it has rattled people.
I think the article in the Sunday Times is the IAA marking cards and letting people know things are now going to change. Let's wait and see.
Avoid imitations
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Shy, if you examine my post *very* closely, I think you'll find that I never said that the accident occurred in the U.K.
I think that the whole witch hunt by the IAA on N-reg an faa pilots is a waste of time. Most of our IAA inspectors are current FAA pilots they also fly in N-regs from time to time when it suits. All helicopters are supposed to be maintained to manufacturers manuals no matter what reg it it on.
I wonder if the story would be so big if it was a G reg or EI reg.?
This machine was maintained by a extremely reputable firm in UK, so it was looked after.
I wonder if the story would be so big if it was a G reg or EI reg.?
This machine was maintained by a extremely reputable firm in UK, so it was looked after.
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I dont think anyone is implying that there was a problem with the condition or maintance of the helicopter.the crash appears to have been down to the pilot and nothing to do with the condition of the helicopter.
I think the question people are posing is why are theses helicopters not Irish registered? If they are permanently based in Ireland and are flown by Irish pilots with Irish passengers in Irish airspace, why should they not have to abide by IAA rules and regs and be EI-reg? Everyone knows that 99% of the helicopters are only N-reg so that the owners can avoid the IAA. If they have nothing to hide why dont these Irish helicopter sign up to the Irish authority?
I wonder if i bought a car in America and shipped it to Ireland would the Irish government allow me to drive it without having it registered in Ireland and abide by Irish rules even if i drove the car everyday in Ireland, i lived in Ireland and i was an Irish citizen?
Its time for the IAA to wakeup and implement new changes.
I think the question people are posing is why are theses helicopters not Irish registered? If they are permanently based in Ireland and are flown by Irish pilots with Irish passengers in Irish airspace, why should they not have to abide by IAA rules and regs and be EI-reg? Everyone knows that 99% of the helicopters are only N-reg so that the owners can avoid the IAA. If they have nothing to hide why dont these Irish helicopter sign up to the Irish authority?
I wonder if i bought a car in America and shipped it to Ireland would the Irish government allow me to drive it without having it registered in Ireland and abide by Irish rules even if i drove the car everyday in Ireland, i lived in Ireland and i was an Irish citizen?
Its time for the IAA to wakeup and implement new changes.
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Its good to see the pilot was uninjured and has got himself back up again and started flying on his N reg 407, more power to him, I guess his FAA licence is still working, good to clear the head and shake off the gremlens 
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FunFinn
"I think that the whole witch hunt by the IAA on N-reg an faa pilots is a waste of time. Most of our IAA inspectors are current FAA pilots they also fly in N-regs from time to time when it suits."
That is some claim. Is this true or a bit of speculation? witch hunt may be a bit strong though?
Funny how an authority will get criticised for action as well as inaction.
I find it hard to believe that inspectors are in breach of the very standards they are trying to uphold.
maybe this is an emotive rather than a factual comment possibly bordering on libel?
"I think that the whole witch hunt by the IAA on N-reg an faa pilots is a waste of time. Most of our IAA inspectors are current FAA pilots they also fly in N-regs from time to time when it suits."
That is some claim. Is this true or a bit of speculation? witch hunt may be a bit strong though?
Funny how an authority will get criticised for action as well as inaction.
I find it hard to believe that inspectors are in breach of the very standards they are trying to uphold.
maybe this is an emotive rather than a factual comment possibly bordering on libel?