Another NZ R22 down?
Another NZ R22 down?
Did not see this in the other Robinson threads, though this sounds like engine failure versus blade issues
Robinson helicopter lands in tree in Wairarapa | Stuff.co.nz
Robinson helicopter lands in tree in Wairarapa | Stuff.co.nz
Robinson helicopter lands in tree in Wairarapa
TALIA SHADWELL
Last updated 15:50, February 26 2015
The pilot of a Robinson helicopter made a forced landing in a tree in Wairarapa, just days after another of the brand's models was grounded following a double fatality.
The pilot of the Robinson R22 - a double blade two-seater, single-engine machine - was "forced to 'park' his craft in the top of a tree," said a Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman.
She said the chief pilot from Outback Helicopters had a "fortunate escape" at Akitio in northern Wairarapa.
He switched on his emergency locator beacon, alerting the Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand. A rescue helicopter from Palmerston North was sent to his aid, the spokeswoman said.
However, the pilot was able to climb out of the helicopter and down from the tree to phone to phone for help.
It is understood the pilot told rescuers the helicopter's engine had cut out.
It is the third known incident year involving the Robinson helicopters - New Zealand's cheapest and most popular brand.
All Robinson R44 egines with Dash 7 blades were grounded until two days ago as a safety precaution while the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigated after two men were killed in a crash involving the model in Queenstown last Thursday.
James Louis Patterson-Gardner, 18, of Queenstown, and former Royal Marine Stephen Anthony Nicholson Cobe, 42, of Wanaka, died in the crash.
Safety investigators initially suspected damage to the blade was similar to another incident involving the partial failure of another R44 main rotor blade this January in which the pilot was able to make a forced landing safely. But testing established the cause of last week's double fatality was a different type of blade failure most likely sustained in the sequence of the crash rather than being the actual cause of the incident.
Consequently, the air ban on R44 models was lifted this Tuesday.
The model of helicopter in today's crash has previously been involved in a double fatality. The Transport Accident Investigation Committee (TIAC) called for a review of the training and safety regulations for pilots using Robinson helicopters, following a crash in April 2011 involving an R22.
The helicopter broke up mid-flight and crashed near Mt Aspiring, killing Wanaka Helicopters instructor Graham Stott, 31, and Marcus Hoogvliet, 21, a Queenstown trainee pilot.
Wakatipu Aero Club's chief pilot and instructor, Julian Kramer, died in November 2012 in a crash in an R22 in the Criffel Range, near Wanaka.
The TAIC March 2014 report into the 2011 crash found the helicopter had been operated at high altitude in turbulent conditions, and bearing a load close to its maximum capacity weight.
The report also noted the US tightened safety standards for Robinson helicopters in 1998 because of crash concerns, ut New Zealand's standards were weaker and failed to significantly reduce crash rates.
It called for training safety reviews into the Robinson make to be carried out by the CAA, which was expected to take 12 to 15 months. There have been 27 fatal crashes in R22 helicopters, according to the CAA.
The urgent directive from the CAA issued after last week's crash affected about 500 Robinson helicopters here and in Australia and was the second national warning about the make this year.
- Dominion Post
TALIA SHADWELL
Last updated 15:50, February 26 2015
The pilot of a Robinson helicopter made a forced landing in a tree in Wairarapa, just days after another of the brand's models was grounded following a double fatality.
The pilot of the Robinson R22 - a double blade two-seater, single-engine machine - was "forced to 'park' his craft in the top of a tree," said a Maritime New Zealand spokeswoman.
She said the chief pilot from Outback Helicopters had a "fortunate escape" at Akitio in northern Wairarapa.
He switched on his emergency locator beacon, alerting the Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand. A rescue helicopter from Palmerston North was sent to his aid, the spokeswoman said.
However, the pilot was able to climb out of the helicopter and down from the tree to phone to phone for help.
It is understood the pilot told rescuers the helicopter's engine had cut out.
It is the third known incident year involving the Robinson helicopters - New Zealand's cheapest and most popular brand.
All Robinson R44 egines with Dash 7 blades were grounded until two days ago as a safety precaution while the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigated after two men were killed in a crash involving the model in Queenstown last Thursday.
James Louis Patterson-Gardner, 18, of Queenstown, and former Royal Marine Stephen Anthony Nicholson Cobe, 42, of Wanaka, died in the crash.
Safety investigators initially suspected damage to the blade was similar to another incident involving the partial failure of another R44 main rotor blade this January in which the pilot was able to make a forced landing safely. But testing established the cause of last week's double fatality was a different type of blade failure most likely sustained in the sequence of the crash rather than being the actual cause of the incident.
Consequently, the air ban on R44 models was lifted this Tuesday.
The model of helicopter in today's crash has previously been involved in a double fatality. The Transport Accident Investigation Committee (TIAC) called for a review of the training and safety regulations for pilots using Robinson helicopters, following a crash in April 2011 involving an R22.
The helicopter broke up mid-flight and crashed near Mt Aspiring, killing Wanaka Helicopters instructor Graham Stott, 31, and Marcus Hoogvliet, 21, a Queenstown trainee pilot.
Wakatipu Aero Club's chief pilot and instructor, Julian Kramer, died in November 2012 in a crash in an R22 in the Criffel Range, near Wanaka.
The TAIC March 2014 report into the 2011 crash found the helicopter had been operated at high altitude in turbulent conditions, and bearing a load close to its maximum capacity weight.
The report also noted the US tightened safety standards for Robinson helicopters in 1998 because of crash concerns, ut New Zealand's standards were weaker and failed to significantly reduce crash rates.
It called for training safety reviews into the Robinson make to be carried out by the CAA, which was expected to take 12 to 15 months. There have been 27 fatal crashes in R22 helicopters, according to the CAA.
The urgent directive from the CAA issued after last week's crash affected about 500 Robinson helicopters here and in Australia and was the second national warning about the make this year.
- Dominion Post
