Hobart accident
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Helicopter came down hard on grass just off runway.
Hobart Airport closed to flights.
Long weekend in Melbourne due to Melb cup so it’s likely to be busier than usual??
Mjb
Helicopter crash at Hobart Airport
UPDATED: The aviation watchdog has launched an investigation into the fatal helicopter crash at Hobart Airport and is calling for witnesses.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said two interstate investigators would shortly travel to the site to start the probe.
The fatal crash involved a single engine AS350BA Squirrel helicopter believed to be operated by Rotorlift which performs aerial duties for the state’s emergency services.
“A team of two Transport Safety Investigators from Brisbane and Canberra will travel to the site shortly to begin their investigation,” an ATSB spokesperson said.
“The ATSB encourages anyone who witnessed the accident to call 1800 020 616.“No further information about the accident is available at this time.” A preliminary report into the air disaster will be handed down in about 30 days.
EARLIER: Police say a person has died and another is in a critical condition following a helicopter crash at Hobart Airport.
Hobart Airport has been shut down and people have been moved outside.
A spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed the incident.
“The ATSB has been advised that there has been an accident at Hobart Airport involving a helicopter with two people aboard,” the spokesman said.
“We understand that emergency services are in attendance and we will be gathering more information before deciding whether to launch an investigation.”
Witness Adele Khoury said the helicopter came in from the Pittwater area, and was flying about tree height before performing a loop and descending into a nose dive.
“There was a puff of smoke,” she said.
Emergency vehicles have converged on the scene, including two ambulances.
One ambulance was seen speeding back towards Hobart city just after 6pm.
Mrs Khoury said the crash occurred about 5.30pm.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said two interstate investigators would shortly travel to the site to start the probe.
The fatal crash involved a single engine AS350BA Squirrel helicopter believed to be operated by Rotorlift which performs aerial duties for the state’s emergency services.
“A team of two Transport Safety Investigators from Brisbane and Canberra will travel to the site shortly to begin their investigation,” an ATSB spokesperson said.
“The ATSB encourages anyone who witnessed the accident to call 1800 020 616.“No further information about the accident is available at this time.” A preliminary report into the air disaster will be handed down in about 30 days.
EARLIER: Police say a person has died and another is in a critical condition following a helicopter crash at Hobart Airport.
Hobart Airport has been shut down and people have been moved outside.
A spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed the incident.
“The ATSB has been advised that there has been an accident at Hobart Airport involving a helicopter with two people aboard,” the spokesman said.
“We understand that emergency services are in attendance and we will be gathering more information before deciding whether to launch an investigation.”
Witness Adele Khoury said the helicopter came in from the Pittwater area, and was flying about tree height before performing a loop and descending into a nose dive.
“There was a puff of smoke,” she said.
Emergency vehicles have converged on the scene, including two ambulances.
One ambulance was seen speeding back towards Hobart city just after 6pm.
Mrs Khoury said the crash occurred about 5.30pm.
was flying about tree height before performing a loop and descending into a nose dive.
To be taken with a grain of salt.
If anything like a “loop” was performed, I’d suggest the “maneuver” may have been associated with some sort of control malfunction. Pure conjecture on my part.
RIP the person that has died.
Early reports are it may have been someone quite well known in the Tasmanian industry.
My thoughts are with those that are directly affected. A very sad time.
Local police expect to interview the survivor in 24 to 48 hours....they should be able to work out what went wrong quite soon I would expect. Prangs at airport boundaries from arriving helicopters tend to be fuel starvation related, however from the description in this instance it seems like loss of control for whatever reason...
If anything like a “loop” was performed, I’d suggest the “maneuver” may have been associated with some sort of control malfunction
Somehow I don't think a pilot would attempt a loop in view of the control tower. I think safe to assume the witness report of a loop was actually something else. The police said it just suddenly nose dived into the ground.
Sad to see its a long time stalwart of the Aussie industry.
Tragic, very tragic!!!! RIP Roger :-( You were a fantastic guy, who was very thorough about your business ways, who built up a great business based on your skills & knowledge!
Last edited by Kulwin Park; 8th Nov 2017 at 07:47.
In response to a question about damage he said it had fallen 200 meters the tail had broken off and that it was a write off.
Press conference here, relevant section begins at 3.10 mark.
(Edit: new direct link)
https://www.facebook.com/themercury....5931747948408/
Spoke to ABC Hobart, who said their reporting was based on the above 9pm press conference.
Mjb
Last edited by mickjoebill; 7th Nov 2017 at 21:27.
That's probably why such a manoeuvre is prohibited in this aircraft in the first place......
Not a control malfunction, as this WILL happen to a 350 if the rotordisc is being loaded with enough G. It is flying the aircraft outside it's approved envelope, but it will not be the first time it has been done with an accident as a result either. If the report is correct about flying low and then a loop, I'd say a good yank in the cyclic when coming around the loop to recover realising being too low, would leave you with NO escape and hitting the ground as a result.....
Not a control malfunction, as this WILL happen to a 350 if the rotordisc is being loaded with enough G. It is flying the aircraft outside it's approved envelope, but it will not be the first time it has been done with an accident as a result either. If the report is correct about flying low and then a loop, I'd say a good yank in the cyclic when coming around the loop to recover realising being too low, would leave you with NO escape and hitting the ground as a result.....
My suggestion was more along the lines of a servo breaking/becoming detached, causing a manovour that resembled a loop to an unknowledgable bystander.
Again; Pure conjecture.
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Be careful pasting facebook claims to other forums as litigation may result.
Like this one? https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/...21X00315&key=1
For the third time: pure conjecture on my part, and every pilots nightmare.
RIP