EXPLOSION in HELICOPTER at Essendon Airport
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Mel-burn
EXPLOSION in HELICOPTER at Essendon Airport
Just hitting the papers now.... feel free to update if you have info.
A PERSON has been injured after an explosion at Essendon Airport.
It is believed a gas cylinder or canister exploded in a helicopter area at about 4pm.
The injured person is being treated for an abdomen injury which may have been caused by flying shrapnel.
A PERSON has been injured after an explosion at Essendon Airport.
It is believed a gas cylinder or canister exploded in a helicopter area at about 4pm.
The injured person is being treated for an abdomen injury which may have been caused by flying shrapnel.
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Warrington, UK
A bit more here:
Man hit in groin with flying gas bottle - Analysis
Man hit in groin with flying gas bottle - Analysis
A 26-year-old man has been hit in the groin by a flying gas bottle after it shot off a helicopter at Essendon Airport this afternoon. The bottle broke the man's pelvis and left his groin cut and bruised when it darted off the aircraft about 3.45pm. An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said paramedics gave the man "significant pain relief" before taking him to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
She said it was not known how the accident occurred. An airport spokesman refused to comment..
She said it was not known how the accident occurred. An airport spokesman refused to comment..
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Australia
Where did this happen?
There are not many groups there that would use compressed gas!!
Police, Ambulance, Rotor Care, Bristow and Helicorp?
Anyone care to state what type of machine it was?
How does a Nitrogen Bottle explode?
Police, Ambulance, Rotor Care, Bristow and Helicorp?
Anyone care to state what type of machine it was?
How does a Nitrogen Bottle explode?
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Was it Nitrogen though?
More likely to have been Oxygen, bearing in mind the role of the unit.
More likely to have been Oxygen, bearing in mind the role of the unit.
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Gold Coast, Australia
My initial thought was the float bottle in a 212 or 412, which (IIRC) is nitrogen. With 3000+psi it would have been a nasty incident.
I wouldn't have expected any of Helicorp's operations to require O2?
I wouldn't have expected any of Helicorp's operations to require O2?
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From: Australia
The way i read the article it said a gas shot off a helicopter, just wondering if the gas bottle came from somewhere else and hit the helicopter and pilot, maybe i.ve got it wrong but whatever caused it i would like too know so i don,t do it.
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Australia
John, you sound like you have some local knowledge.
My immediate thoughts were that the bottle installed in one of the 212/412's was being topped up and structurally failed in this process.
However the Burst Pressure of the bottles is well in excess of the transfer equipment limitations, as well as the original bottle limitations.
Or did the valve fail or damaged, and the bottle commence an uncontrolled acceleration until stopped by some poor chap?
I gather this is either an Australian 412 or Helicorp 212 ?
My immediate thoughts were that the bottle installed in one of the 212/412's was being topped up and structurally failed in this process.
However the Burst Pressure of the bottles is well in excess of the transfer equipment limitations, as well as the original bottle limitations.
Or did the valve fail or damaged, and the bottle commence an uncontrolled acceleration until stopped by some poor chap?
I gather this is either an Australian 412 or Helicorp 212 ?
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Gold Coast, Australia
No "inside knowledge" but a bit of time in 212/412, plus experience of overpressured float bottles 
I've just spoken to someone who was there at the time, and the float bottle was being removed when the valve let go for reasons yet to be resolved. Most of the force was into the airframe, but the young engineer received groin injuries and was knocked to the concrete floor and hit his head which then split his ear as well. He is expected to make a "full recovery", but from injuries that you and I would probably rather avoid in the first place
It was a Helicorp machine, not Australian Helicopters.
I stress that this is second hand gen: the ATSB report will be the definitive source of information.
I've just spoken to someone who was there at the time, and the float bottle was being removed when the valve let go for reasons yet to be resolved. Most of the force was into the airframe, but the young engineer received groin injuries and was knocked to the concrete floor and hit his head which then split his ear as well. He is expected to make a "full recovery", but from injuries that you and I would probably rather avoid in the first place
It was a Helicorp machine, not Australian Helicopters.I stress that this is second hand gen: the ATSB report will be the definitive source of information.
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From: Indonesia
I have been following this one with interest, as I maintain a 212 with floats in a remote area. The nitrogen cylinder has been known to fail at the neck and firing mechanism in the past, but surely if it was being removed all the pressure would have been released.
