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Double engine failure on German Chancellor's helicopter

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Old 20th March 2011 | 06:51
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Double engine failure on German Chancellor's helicopter

On the flight in FL50 the german chancellor helicopter happened a double engine failure. Both engines of the nearly new AS 332 Superpuma failed. The crew autorotated short to surface until they were able to re-start the engines. Reactions by the onboard chancellor Mrs. Merkel are unknown.

Hectic Investigations on full run.
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Old 20th March 2011 | 07:15
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Occurrence was Wednesday 16-Mar-11 for this AS532U2 incident
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Old 20th March 2011 | 07:29
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According to my infos it was not a AS532U2. There are only 3 AS532U2 operated by the GAF in Germany. The incident happened with a Federal Police (former Border Guard) helicopter and they don't operate Cougars. They use AS 332 L1 as VIP ship.

The involved helicopter was delivered by EC to the FedP in December 2010, just 3 months before.

Last edited by tecpilot; 20th March 2011 at 07:43.
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Old 20th March 2011 | 11:05
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Quote from the best selling idiots-newspaper we have around here...

"the pilots activated the "autorotation system", which disconnects the unpowered mainrotor from the gearbox"

Well done chaps
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Old 20th March 2011 | 12:01
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Good job they found the autorotation switch in time.
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Old 20th March 2011 | 15:57
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Note to Wastelands...quick,sell her a Merlin...
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Old 20th March 2011 | 18:33
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The chancellor was not on board when the incident happened-the helicopter was already on its´way back after dropping the passengers..

What makes me wondering:

They have a DOUBLE engine failure-and then restart the engines, and continue to fly to the next airport?

That must be misunderstood by the press, right?

After an emergency like that, i am convinced that each checklist will say "land asap"...
 
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Old 20th March 2011 | 18:38
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..... not a switch but a big handwheel
Like this one from a Mi-1?

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Old 20th March 2011 | 19:09
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ST, UL, TRC: Too funny - lol!

More than likely it was one of the Bundesgrenzschutz ships.





S.
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Old 20th March 2011 | 20:16
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@hueyracer
What makes me wondering:

They have a DOUBLE engine failure-and then restart the engines, and continue to fly to the next airport?

That must be misunderstood by the press, right?

After an emergency like that, i am convinced that each checklist will say "land asap"...
It was 9pm, so already dark night...
maybe they caught some ice?

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Old 20th March 2011 | 20:29
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Sounds reminiscent of the BHL incident a few years ago with Dougal - winter, FL50, relight lower down....
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Old 20th March 2011 | 22:21
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TRC, that is the PPEBS (Proletariat Powered Engine Backup System). In an engine failure, peasants take turns to crank this wheel which drives the main gearbox. As each peasant expires they are thrown out to lighten the load.
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Old 21st March 2011 | 00:08
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From the supposed delivery date it may be D-HEGM an AS.332L1 delivered last year [and therefore never carrying the Bundesgrenzshutz logo, they have been the Federal Police for ages and changed their earlier fleet for the AS332L1].

You can still see the BGS name in museums [and in Pprune pictures of course] and there is a reminder in the street address of their main base .... Bundesgrenzschutzstrasse 100, 53757 St Augustin.
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Old 21st March 2011 | 07:40
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D-HEGM s/n 2774 is the involved ship.

Back to basics.
Can someone explain the way of engine de-icing on a 332? Additionally the ship is fitted with barrier filters, that may be also a reason for the failures.

Engine failure due to icing or a big lapse by the crew seems to be clear, the ship departed a short time later from the airfield back to his base. No big maintenance action took part. Sounds like the reason was determined quickly.
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Old 21st March 2011 | 09:55
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PAnws yes it was D-HEGM and yes snow was involved.

Suffice it to say that the pilots had two very big Guardian Angels flying formation.

I, for one am very glad this one ended in nothing worse than bruised egos and some soiled under-garments.

Last edited by Brilliant Stuff; 21st March 2011 at 13:54.
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Old 21st March 2011 | 10:25
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PANews: I hope this makes you infinitely happier.


Bundespolizei AS332M1 SuperPuma at Saarbrücken on 3rd December 2010. (Photo: Matthias Becker)

S.
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Old 21st March 2011 | 11:04
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Suffice it to say that the pilots had two very big Guardian angles flying formation.
So that's how it hit the press. The Guardian often comes up with some very strange angles and this was no exception. What's more, they obviously weren't right angles.

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Old 21st March 2011 | 11:32
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Um Lifting
What is the beer can on bulk head for, left over from the no handle model.
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Old 21st March 2011 | 11:47
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What is the beer can on bulk head for....
The beer is a reward for the pilot for successfully engaging the PPEBS. If he fails to get all the levers, pedals, handwheels, etc arranged in an eye-pleasing fashion in time, he doesn't get the beer. A simple and effective method.

It's actually a home-made lampshade to replace the original that was broken eons ago. Every Polish locomotive (sorry, I mean Mil-1) I've ever driven has a beer can lampshade on every light in the cab. Carefully cut holes illuminate the bit that needs it without scattering light all over the place. Quite clever really.

Last edited by TRC; 21st March 2011 at 13:41. Reason: Forgot the quote....
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Old 21st March 2011 | 13:33
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I've attached this wheel handle on the Robinsons at our school. Works a treat - now students can turn on the auto-rotation system twice as fast. I'm amazed Robinson doesn't factory fit these as standard. Only £4.99 from Halfords and should get EASA approval this summer

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