R22 Crash in Australia - 21 June 09
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R22 Crash in Australia - 21 June 09
A MAN is in a critical condition after a small helicopter crashed onto mudflats at a remote beach near Darwin.
The man, who was a passenger in the helicopter and believed to be aged in his 50s, suffered chest and lung injuries and a fractured arm in the crash at Dundee Beach, 50km southwest of Darwin, tonight, an NRMA CareFlight spokesman said.
A CareFlight rescue helicopter found the crashed chopper in the dark and flew the passenger and pilot to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
The pilot escaped the crash with minor injuries but was suffering severe shock.
He told the CareFlight doctor he was flying along the beach from where the pair had camped and turned to observe a crocodile then crashed.
He dragged his passenger to the safety of the shore, away from crocodiles, then buried him in the sand up to his neck to try to stop him getting hypothermia.
The pilot used a satellite phone to alert authorities shortly before 6.30pm (CST) as he struggled to rescue his passenger, the CareFlight spokesman said.
CareFlight chief air crewman Daniel Warring said the rescue was made difficult because of darkness and because there was no road access for other emergency services.
Mr Warring said the single piston engine R22 helicopter crashed onto a mudflat about 100 metres from the main beach.
The man, who was a passenger in the helicopter and believed to be aged in his 50s, suffered chest and lung injuries and a fractured arm in the crash at Dundee Beach, 50km southwest of Darwin, tonight, an NRMA CareFlight spokesman said.
A CareFlight rescue helicopter found the crashed chopper in the dark and flew the passenger and pilot to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
The pilot escaped the crash with minor injuries but was suffering severe shock.
He told the CareFlight doctor he was flying along the beach from where the pair had camped and turned to observe a crocodile then crashed.
He dragged his passenger to the safety of the shore, away from crocodiles, then buried him in the sand up to his neck to try to stop him getting hypothermia.
The pilot used a satellite phone to alert authorities shortly before 6.30pm (CST) as he struggled to rescue his passenger, the CareFlight spokesman said.
CareFlight chief air crewman Daniel Warring said the rescue was made difficult because of darkness and because there was no road access for other emergency services.
Mr Warring said the single piston engine R22 helicopter crashed onto a mudflat about 100 metres from the main beach.
Last edited by flopter; 21st Jun 2009 at 14:54. Reason: date / time
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It would seem that the pilot did his best under the circumstances. One take away from this report for me: I have been debating whether to carry a satellite phone in the helicopter. Debate over!
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Careflight personnel treat the injured passenger
Medical personnel treat the injured passenger who was buried in sand at Dundee Beach after a helicopter crash. (CareFlight)
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this picture is quite disturbing...
apart from that local water was two hours into a lowering tide of four metres.
a very well known area for inhospitable crocadiles
picture could have been a lot worse
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I have to say that this accident portrays a remarkable suvivability factor of the Robinson R22 Alpha model.
I wonder if there are people who are closer to the incident who may be able to post some photographs of the wreckage, on the beach, so to speak.
It is very hard to work out just what happened, or how it folded up to allow survivability. Where did the engine end up etc?
We all know that other machines are suvivable aircraft but these pictures defy philosophy.
cheers tet
I wonder if there are people who are closer to the incident who may be able to post some photographs of the wreckage, on the beach, so to speak.
It is very hard to work out just what happened, or how it folded up to allow survivability. Where did the engine end up etc?
We all know that other machines are suvivable aircraft but these pictures defy philosophy.
cheers tet
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Good to see that CareFlight is still providing excellent service to those in need!!
be interesting to see how they pan out in the soon to be decided airmed, Fixed wing / heli hems contracts?
tet
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that projected tender had disappeared from the website. has it been cancelled?
not as far as I know, i'll check it out and get back here.
Sorry - no.
OK !
Get one of the locals to ask the Mud Gecko that witnessed it!
may be that it might be lucky them lizard turnouts don't talk.
although one from that area, I am sure you would be aware of, used to gleefully attack outboard motors often. by name of 'Sweetheart' and now is stuffed and residing in the Darwin museum.
I wonder, did another 'lation of hers tear off the engine of that pesky chopper on the way past?????
after all wasn't it an anniversary of Darwin's birthday or some damm thing about him the other day????
have spent a bit of time in that area, some good stories out of that, also many big gheckos there good boy.
cheers tet
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They're very lucky lads in more ways than one. Crocs like burying their leftovers in the river bank/mangroves - 
- and they'll stalk you carefully for days, if they feel like it - and they aren't scared of anything .. 
It looks like Sweetheart taught all her mates how to go about it -
- and they'll stalk you carefully for days, if they feel like it - and they aren't scared of anything .. It looks like Sweetheart taught all her mates how to go about it -
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Catseye
I have been trying to find out but being thwarted by what appears to be some funny goings on in amongst the NT aeromedial area.
I believe that the tender has not yet been let and am using some other sources to track down just what is happening.
will keep on their case and advise ASAP.
tet
hat projected tender had disappeared from the website. has it been cancelled?
I believe that the tender has not yet been let and am using some other sources to track down just what is happening.
will keep on their case and advise ASAP.
tet
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This one.
VH HAU
Rotorcraft with skid landing gear
Single Piston engine
Manufacturer: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO
Model: R22 ALPHA
Serial number: 0437
Aircraft first registered in Australia: 12 November 1984
Engine is separated and about thirty metres across the flat. Some of the cooling shroud / baffles can be seen on the ground.
Nasty bloody crocs in that country
VH HAU
Rotorcraft with skid landing gear
Single Piston engine
Manufacturer: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO
Model: R22 ALPHA
Serial number: 0437
Aircraft first registered in Australia: 12 November 1984
Engine is separated and about thirty metres across the flat. Some of the cooling shroud / baffles can be seen on the ground.
Nasty bloody crocs in that country
