Helicopter Down off Flamborough 16th Sept 2014
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
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The biggest cause of accidents is pilot error. As in this case too in my opinion, along with some bad luck.
If anyone says to me, with regard to aviation: "Good luck", I always reply: "Thanks, but I try not to rely on luck"
Almost forty years ago I volunteered to go swinging on the end of a winch cable, in that exact location, under a single engined, yellow helicopter, as a professional survivor. As a macho young man I knew no better back then. I certainly wouldn't be prepared to do it these days if a twin engined helicopter was available.
We've just read the reason why not.
No number of engines will save a pilot from themselves!
He knew all about weather limits and suitable flight paths but looks as if the inconvenience of missing an OPC was too much to manage.
He knew all about weather limits and suitable flight paths but looks as if the inconvenience of missing an OPC was too much to manage.
There are two ways to look at this.
Of course this accident would almost certainly not have happened if the aircraft had had two engines. However, not everyone can afford, or needs, two engines.
The other, and I would suggest more relevant, perspective is that this event would not have had this sad outcome if this single engine aircraft had not been flown in circumstances where a safe autorotation could not be carried out.
Very sad
OH
Of course this accident would almost certainly not have happened if the aircraft had had two engines. However, not everyone can afford, or needs, two engines.
The other, and I would suggest more relevant, perspective is that this event would not have had this sad outcome if this single engine aircraft had not been flown in circumstances where a safe autorotation could not be carried out.
Very sad
OH
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: West Wales and Zug, Switzerland
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Firstly can I say that I have flown and worked with Brian and he was a good safe pilot.
An autorotation could have been achieved if the sea had been chosen as a landing site, but faced with a loss of power I think most of us would try for the dry option. With hindsight flying feet wet with a rugged coast line was not the best option.
No one has asked why the bearings failed causing the loss of power thus starting the accident.
An autorotation could have been achieved if the sea had been chosen as a landing site, but faced with a loss of power I think most of us would try for the dry option. With hindsight flying feet wet with a rugged coast line was not the best option.
No one has asked why the bearings failed causing the loss of power thus starting the accident.
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Bearing faiulure
Normally caused by lack of lubrication, so perhaps the oil feed to the bearing was reduced for some reason, leading to bearing failure.
Years ago when I was flying pipeline our company did a spectrograph on the oil after oil changes to monitor trends to try and predict this sort of problem, but as far as i am aware it never did.
Years ago when I was flying pipeline our company did a spectrograph on the oil after oil changes to monitor trends to try and predict this sort of problem, but as far as i am aware it never did.
