Eurocopter crash off Queensland north coast
Thread Starter
Eurocopter crash off Queensland north coast
Just reported. 5 aboard, no reports on condition. Seems to have crashed around Cairns. Noticed a rescue helicopter heading south east (out to sea) out of Townsville.
Last edited by Foxxster; 21st Mar 2018 at 07:37.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Posts: 943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There seems to have been a few too many ditchings around OZ & the US this last fortnight. I believe all the helicopters had pop out floats, which usually work well, but in these last 3 cases none of the helicopters landed safely on the water which would have prevented the fatalities. Pilots can only practice water landings on fixed floats which are easy but obviously can't practice with pop outs. I wonder if this is causing these tragic ditchings?
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Victoria
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Practice emergency landings on water in the simulator is quite realistic, you'll even get a dose of seasickness if you're susceptible to that.
In the scramble to get the news out, media seem to have ruffled the ATSB's feathers, erroneously reporting that the ATSB had confirmed fatalities. Whatever the protocol, it seems that sadly the reports were accurate, with the Queensland Police now confirming that 2 passengers, believed to be overseas tourists had been recovered deceased. 2 more, along with the pilot are receiving treatment for injuries.
For those who have done helicopter underwater escape training would understand how unlikely it is that an untrained passenger would be able to self-extricate themselves from a submerged helicopter.
Join Date: Apr 1998
Location: Mesopotamos
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...unlikely it is that an untrained passenger...
It's not their fault, they probably only wanted to take a convenient short trip over water without needing to have a masters degree in what can go wrong.
Now when I sit as pax on a Boeing or Airbus and look at the emergency card depicting a fully intact airliner floating on water with all life rafts deployed.... I know of only one incident where it actually happened, further perpetuating the belief that it does exactly what it says on the card.
Last edited by cattletruck; 21st Mar 2018 at 13:12.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my former life as a commercial photographer, I've only flown with doors off and either belted in the seat or (rarely) on a harness with quick release. And I know how to swim, which helped in one actual fixed-wing ditching many years ago. So I was always pretty sure I could escape even if the helo quickly inverted, as long as I wasn't injured otherwise. But tourists won't be thinking like that, and it might be a closed doors flight.
Is there a common protocol for helicopter ditchings? What I mean is -- when there is enough time to know the ditching is inevitable during an auto, is it common practice to tell pax to unlatch seatbelts and brace? Maybe even open the doors (if possible)?
Stay strapped in and wait for the violent movement to cease before releasing your seatbelt and escaping (if you have kept a hand holding on to something that will help you find your exit).
Australia's Greatest Aviation Expert, GT, was just on the TV. He was asked if the EC120 had two engines.
His reply was (and I may have missed a word) "No, not like the EC130..."
He should be our greatest EXPORT.
His reply was (and I may have missed a word) "No, not like the EC130..."
He should be our greatest EXPORT.