R44 Crash Leicester 3rd August 19

[FLY 7]

Originally Posted by India Four Two

I've found the location. It's not a small back garden. A large house on Shilton Road, Barwell, backing onto a large field.

52°34'8.07"N 1°20'4.23"W

The site above might be in the right vicinity, but doesn't look recognisable from the video and pictures, which look much more like a small enclosed garden

[[email protected]]

The angle the video was shot from could easily hide the actual extent of the garden. He seems to have ignored the big open area and decided to land and take off as close to the house as possible..

[John Eacott]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

The angle the video was shot from could easily hide the actual extent of the garden. He seems to have ignored the big open area and decided to land and take off as close to the house as possible..

I’ve seen nothing to show that his impact area was either his approach or departure point; it’s quite conceivable that he could have approached to the open paddock then taxied in to the shut down spot. Similarly he could have been intending to taxi back out to an open area for departure but stuffed up and caught the tail, as previously discussed.

[aa777888]

Originally Posted by India Four Two

I've found the location. It's not a small back garden. A large house on Shilton Road, Barwell, backing onto a large field.

52°34'8.07"N 1°20'4.23"W

Thanks, I42! That's quite a bit of room compared to some spots I worked just this past weekend. Now I wonder why he put it so close to the house? Perhaps the only level ground was immediately adjacent to the building?

[[email protected]]

I’ve seen nothing to show that his impact area was either his approach or departure point; it’s quite conceivable that he could have approached to the open paddock then taxied in to the shut down spot. Similarly he could have been intending to taxi back out to an open area for departure but stuffed up and caught the tail, as previously discussed.

Agreed John, that is why I said take off and landing as opposed to approach and departure.

[212man]

Originally Posted by aa777888

Thanks, I42! That's quite a bit of room compared to some spots I worked just this past weekend. Now I wonder why he put it so close to the house? Perhaps the only level ground was immediately adjacent to the building?

Well maybe because he had just dropped off a terminally ill person who wasn't really up to walking long distances?

[aa777888]

All good points! Now to wait for the report...

[[email protected]]

Well maybe because he had just dropped off a terminally ill person who wasn't really up to walking long distances?

At the cost of one helicopter and a huge potential for collateral damage - a wheelchair would have sufficed if he was that poorly, he was well enough to go flying after all.

[Bell_ringer]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

At the cost of one helicopter and a huge potential for collateral damage - a wheelchair would have sufficed if he was that poorly, he was well enough to go flying after all.

It wouldn't be the first time that an over eagerness to please resulted in an accident.
Like when the cameras are rolling, good judgement can be lost in the heat of the moment.
There are many videos on youtube and live leak of special occasions going wrong.
Seemingly mundane activities, or even ones done many times before, can have unforeseen risks especially when a helicopter is involved.

[nomorehelosforme]

Originally Posted by Bell_ringer

It wouldn't be the first time that an over eagerness to please resulted in an accident.
Like when the cameras are rolling, good judgement can be lost in the heat of the moment.
There are many videos on youtube and live leak of special occasions going wrong.
Seemingly mundane activities, or even ones done many times before, can have unforeseen risks especially when a helicopter is involved.

Agreed and dare I say more often than not involving a Robinson.

[Mutley1013]

Not sure how the Robinson is related. You could argue that those machines are more often than not flown by the relatively inexperienced, private pilots, but that does not make it the helicopter’s fault. I bet if all low timers flew a 206 (or whatever tool of choice) the accident rate on them would be higher too.

[golfbananajam]

Picture which seems to show quite slope is form this article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...channel=social

[ApolloHeli]

Looking at that slope I'm not sure how likely it is that the stinger caught the ground. Would have had to have been very nose up?

[nomorehelosforme]

Originally Posted by Mutley1013

Not sure how the Robinson is related. You could argue that those machines are more often than not flown by the relatively inexperienced, private pilots, but that does not make it the helicopter’s fault. I bet if all low timers flew a 206 (or whatever tool of choice) the accident rate on them would be higher too.

Bet all you want, look at real statistics....

[ApolloHeli]

Originally Posted by Mutley1013

Not sure how the Robinson is related. You could argue that those machines are more often than not flown by the relatively inexperienced, private pilots, but that does not make it the helicopter’s fault. I bet if all low timers flew a 206 (or whatever tool of choice) the accident rate on them would be higher too.

As much as I enjoy poking fun at Robbies I'm inclined to agree with this point. The sheer number of incidents involving them can't only be attributed to their design flaws.

[John Eacott]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Agreed John, that is why I said take off and landing as opposed to approach and departure.

Hmmm. So your lift to the hover prior to hover taxiing to the departure point for take off is your take off? Maybe too much time spent on wheeled machines crab@

Originally Posted by ApolloHeli

Looking at that slope I'm not sure how likely it is that the stinger caught the ground. Would have had to have been very nose up?

Where do you assume that the stinger caught the ground? Watch the video: after lifting to the hover (and prior to taxiing for take off) the R44 drifts back whilst in a level hover at about 5ft and contacts something with the tail, which then snaps right and stops abruptly which topples the machine. A neighbour claims the tail rotor 'came off in the hedge' which could be the start of the accident.

[Ascend Charlie]

He didn't start the accident by hitting the tail rotor, otherwise the acft would have rotated right instead of left.

[Hot and Hi]

Originally Posted by nomorehelosforme

Agreed and dare I say more often than not involving a Robinson.

I agree. Instead of a GBP 300k Robbie, he should have borrowed a 3m twin. I am sure he would have done much better. These things are easy to fly and take care of themselves. But wait ...

[[email protected]]

Hmmm. So your lift to the hover prior to hover taxiing to the departure point for take off is your take off? Maybe too much time spent on wheeled machines crab@

Your lift to the hover is your take off - it is a helicopter after all - your departure is your departure whether straight from the hover or after taxying.

I am flying 2 skidded types at the moment at a civil airport and the nice man from ATC lets me air taxy to the runway (I have left the ground so I have taken off) and then clears me for departure, not take off.

Or do you not count time spent in the hover as flying time in Oz?

[[email protected]]

He didn't start the accident by hitting the tail rotor, otherwise the acft would have rotated right instead of left.

Agreed AC, there is clearly a left yaw on take off. I wonder if he pre-positioned the pedals on lift forgetting his power in the hover (and therefore his pedal requirement) with just himself would be less than with his pax when he had landed.