Cabri Crash in Switzerland - Crew OK
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Cabri hard landing in Switzerland - Crew OK
On the 15th the Cabri HB-ZLJ landed hard.
On the way back to Bern they smelled something and then there was a loud bang and heavy vibrations. They autorotated, but the can be repaired, at least that is what it looks like. The AAIB report says heavily damaged. Whatever that means.
Better now?
On the way back to Bern they smelled something and then there was a loud bang and heavy vibrations. They autorotated, but the can be repaired, at least that is what it looks like. The AAIB report says heavily damaged. Whatever that means.
Better now?
Last edited by Rotorbee; 17th Jul 2013 at 07:53. Reason: Lousy english?
.
Hello Rotorbee,
Maybe you could change the title by something like "emergency landing" much closer to reality !
I really wish all the crashes finished like this one !
G2 in a cornfield in summer (a good idea for a painting...) :
Hello Rotorbee,
Maybe you could change the title by something like "emergency landing" much closer to reality !
I really wish all the crashes finished like this one !
G2 in a cornfield in summer (a good idea for a painting...) :
Last edited by HeliHenri; 16th Jul 2013 at 22:06.
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And on 6th July another Cabri (F-HBEA) went down in France.
06-Jul-13 F-HBEA Guimbal G2 Cabri Fleurac, France
06-Jul-13 F-HBEA Guimbal G2 Cabri Fleurac, France
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HeliHub.com have been given the following statement on 10 July by the manufacturer:-
"We at Helicopteres Guimbal are of course much worried that a recent accident involved a Cabri. We are even more frustrated to learn the distorted reports that appeared in the press. The following is what we know from our point and from the pilot and owner who called us immediately after the accident :
The owner, a 66 year private pilot was on a pleasure flight with a friend, a fixed-wing private pilot. The helicopter had been inspected and fitted with the newly developed Vibration Attenuation Pendulums the week before at the factory and was reported "incredibly smooth" by the owner calling us just before the accident. It was in an absolutely perfect condition.
In cruise flight, they heard some noise that they found was caused by the baggage door, left open, flapping in the airstream. The pilot decided to land immediately in a field in front of him. In short finals with no anticipation, he was disoriented by the bright sunlight and an obstacle, and made a very hard landing with no yawing motion and moderate forward speed. The helicopter bounced significantly and hit the ground again on the left side. The two occupants got out with minor injury and are back home after examination.
The helicopter sustained significant damage, although early examination suggests it will be repaired for a fraction of its original cost. The occupant called to thank us because the cabin and seats offered an excellent protection, and with a full load of fuel, there was absolutely no spillage. The pilot, who owned different helicopters in the last 20 years, reported that he still considers the Cabri the easiest and safest helicopter to fly.
The Cabri G2 is the only light helicopter in the world, certified according to the highest requirements in crash protection, passengers and fuel circuit. The cabin and seats are tested to a 2000 ft/min vertical velocity, oblique crash, while the fuel tank, circuit and environment are tested to a 50 ft free fall with a full load".
HeliHub.com have been given the following statement on 10 July by the manufacturer:-
"We at Helicopteres Guimbal are of course much worried that a recent accident involved a Cabri. We are even more frustrated to learn the distorted reports that appeared in the press. The following is what we know from our point and from the pilot and owner who called us immediately after the accident :
The owner, a 66 year private pilot was on a pleasure flight with a friend, a fixed-wing private pilot. The helicopter had been inspected and fitted with the newly developed Vibration Attenuation Pendulums the week before at the factory and was reported "incredibly smooth" by the owner calling us just before the accident. It was in an absolutely perfect condition.
In cruise flight, they heard some noise that they found was caused by the baggage door, left open, flapping in the airstream. The pilot decided to land immediately in a field in front of him. In short finals with no anticipation, he was disoriented by the bright sunlight and an obstacle, and made a very hard landing with no yawing motion and moderate forward speed. The helicopter bounced significantly and hit the ground again on the left side. The two occupants got out with minor injury and are back home after examination.
The helicopter sustained significant damage, although early examination suggests it will be repaired for a fraction of its original cost. The occupant called to thank us because the cabin and seats offered an excellent protection, and with a full load of fuel, there was absolutely no spillage. The pilot, who owned different helicopters in the last 20 years, reported that he still considers the Cabri the easiest and safest helicopter to fly.
The Cabri G2 is the only light helicopter in the world, certified according to the highest requirements in crash protection, passengers and fuel circuit. The cabin and seats are tested to a 2000 ft/min vertical velocity, oblique crash, while the fuel tank, circuit and environment are tested to a 50 ft free fall with a full load".
"Crash" , "went down". My god, this is a Daily Mirror thread ! 
What a bad start of July for the G2 !
So, maybe "hard landing" would be better to describe this event.
Bag compartment door (yes, there is one on this small aircraft) left open so make noise during flight.
Pilot wants (of course) to close it so makes a precautionary landing in a field (not a cornfield this time).
Pilot makes a mistake during landing and finishes on the side.
Pilot and his friend pax are ok.
Pilot and also (happy) owner will pay an undisclosed amont of euros to fly his G2 again very soon .
.
What a bad start of July for the G2 !
So, maybe "hard landing" would be better to describe this event.
Bag compartment door (yes, there is one on this small aircraft) left open so make noise during flight.
Pilot wants (of course) to close it so makes a precautionary landing in a field (not a cornfield this time).
Pilot makes a mistake during landing and finishes on the side.
Pilot and his friend pax are ok.
Pilot and also (happy) owner will pay an undisclosed amont of euros to fly his G2 again very soon .
.
Last edited by HeliHenri; 16th Jul 2013 at 21:40.
Sure Rotorbee is not a native English speaker so his meaning fell a little through the cracks...
I believe he meant that "THAT PARTICULAR Cabri" was done for.
Cheers
H.
I believe he meant that "THAT PARTICULAR Cabri" was done for.
Cheers
H.
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Doesn't look too done for to me. I'd be more interested in how it all started.
The french one is.....unfortunate.
In both cases, no injuries. Has there ever been an injury in a Cabri?
The french one is.....unfortunate.
In both cases, no injuries. Has there ever been an injury in a Cabri?
OK, here's the letter which went from Helicoptères Guimbal to their customers on this incident along with an associated SB...
An incident happened recently where a Cabri G2 was forced to perform emergency landing. The crew initially heard a noise and after some minutes of ensuing flight the helicopter developed significant engine vibration, followed by another loud noise and eventual loss of power. The pilot with his trainee made a safe autorotation landing.
The damage to the helicopter is minor.
The investigation by the authorities is under way with the assistance of Helicopteres Guimbal. The initial conclusion is that the engine cooling fan wheel broke and released a sector which caused extensive damage to the surrounding shroud, transmission belt and clutch cylinder.
The reason for the wheel failure was not determined. It could include foreign object ingestion, local damage of the wheel ring, or contact corrosion. No overspeed was reported and the wheel design has been tested to extreme overspeed of about 200% (5300 RPM), well above maximum engine speed.
The helicopter had 1180 hrs TT. The concerned parts manufacturing history and quality records were analyzed. These parts have a complete traceability.
Helicopteres Guimbal is today issuing a mandatory Service Bulletin to direct initial and periodic inspection of parts in service.
The development of a redesigned part, including enhanced damage tolerance, is already in progress with the goal of removing this periodic inspection requirement. The highest priority is being given to this effort in order to deliver safer parts soon.
I apologize for the inconvenience and kindly ask you to trust that we are doing our best to ensure the highest safety.
The damage to the helicopter is minor.
The investigation by the authorities is under way with the assistance of Helicopteres Guimbal. The initial conclusion is that the engine cooling fan wheel broke and released a sector which caused extensive damage to the surrounding shroud, transmission belt and clutch cylinder.
The reason for the wheel failure was not determined. It could include foreign object ingestion, local damage of the wheel ring, or contact corrosion. No overspeed was reported and the wheel design has been tested to extreme overspeed of about 200% (5300 RPM), well above maximum engine speed.
The helicopter had 1180 hrs TT. The concerned parts manufacturing history and quality records were analyzed. These parts have a complete traceability.
Helicopteres Guimbal is today issuing a mandatory Service Bulletin to direct initial and periodic inspection of parts in service.
The development of a redesigned part, including enhanced damage tolerance, is already in progress with the goal of removing this periodic inspection requirement. The highest priority is being given to this effort in order to deliver safer parts soon.
I apologize for the inconvenience and kindly ask you to trust that we are doing our best to ensure the highest safety.
